Abstract
The high incidence of vascular ulcers and the difficulties encountered in their healing process require the understanding of their multiple etiologies to develop effective strategies focused on providing different treatment options. This work provides a description of the principles of the physics of fluid dynamics related to vascular ulcers. The morphological characteristics of the cardiovascular system promote blood flow. The contraction force of the left ventricle is enhanced by its ability to reduce its radius of curvature and by increasing the thickness of the ventricular wall (Laplace’s Law). Arterial flow must overcome vascular resistance (Ohm’s equation). The elastic nature of the artery and the ability to reduce its diameter as flow rate progresses facilitate blood conduction at high speed up to arteriolar level, and this can be determined by the second equation of continuity. As it is a viscous fluid, we must discuss laminar flow, calculated by the Reynolds number, which favors proper conduction while aiming at the correct net filtration pressure. Any endothelial harmful process that affects the muscle wall of the vessel increases the flow speed, causing a decrease in capillary hydrostatic pressure, thus reducing the exchange of nutrients at the interstitial level. With regard to the return system, the flow direction is anti-gravity and requires endogenous aid to establish the Starling’s equilibrium. Knowledge on the physics of vascular fluid dynamics makes it easier to understand the processes of formation of these ulcers so as to choosing the optimal healing and prevention techniques for these chronic wounds.
Highlights
Vascular ulcers are lesions that occur in the lower limbs and they are caused by a problem in the dynamics of distal blood flow, either in the flow of nutrient intake, as in the case of arterial ulcers, or in the return process in the case of venous ulcers.The high incidence of the onset of these ulcers, 1%–2% of injuries in adults [1], makes it necessary for professionals to adequately manage and know these processes so as to reduce their incidence, Healthcare 2020, 8, 147; doi:10.3390/healthcare8020147 www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcareHealthcare 2020, 8, 147 to favor the control of risk factors, as well as speeding up healing processes
This work aims to describe the principles of the physics of fluid dynamics related to vascular ulcers to help understand their pathophysiology and choose the best treatment option
The human cardiovascular system consists of a circuit of arteries and veins of more than 100,000 km in length, which are travelled by a blood volume of approximately 5 liters, divided standing into 84% in major circulation
Summary
Vascular ulcers are lesions that occur in the lower limbs and they are caused by a problem in the dynamics of distal blood flow, either in the flow of nutrient intake, as in the case of arterial ulcers, or in the return process in the case of venous ulcers.The high incidence of the onset of these ulcers, 1%–2% of injuries in adults [1], makes it necessary for professionals to adequately manage and know these processes so as to reduce their incidence, Healthcare 2020, 8, 147; doi:10.3390/healthcare8020147 www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcareHealthcare 2020, 8, 147 to favor the control of risk factors, as well as speeding up healing processes. Venous ulcers affect approximately 1% of the entire Spanish population, becoming 75% of cases of chronic wounds of lower limbs. The difficulties in healing, and the population at risk makes it essential for nursing to know of the etiology of these ulcers, as well as the corresponding appropriate treatment techniques [2]. Vascular ulcers affect the quality of life of people who suffer from them due to their duration, the extent of the wound, and the presence of exudate, odor, and pain.
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