Time-domain formulation of asymmetric T-tube model of arterial system

Abstract

An asymmetric T-tube model of the arterial system with complex terminal loads was formulated in the time domain. The model was formulated to allow it to be fitted to the aortic pressure waveform, the aortic flow waveform, or simultaneously to both the aortic and descending aortic flow waveforms. Pressure and flow measurements were taken in anesthetized open-chest dogs under basal, vasoconstricted, and vasodilated states. It was found that the T-tube model fitted the data well in all formulations and in all vasoactive states. However, all parameters were estimated accurately in all vasoactive states only with the formulation that fitted to both aortic and descending aortic flow simultaneously. The T-tube model was compared with the three-element windkessel model with regard to the respective models' ability to recreate specific aspects of the pressure waveform and with regard to the estimates of global arterial parameters. The T-tube model recremated those features of the pressure waveform, such as diastolic waves, that the windkessel model could not. Also, the T-tube model systematically estimated lower global arterial compliance and higher characteristic impedance than the windkessel. It was argued that the T-tube model accurately represented important wave transmission features of the arterial loading system. The model is recommended for use in characterizing the arterial load and for merging with representations of the left ventricle in studies of left ventricle-systemic arterial interaction.