Application of 1D blood flow models of the human arterial network to differential pressure predictions.

A new application of 1D models of the human arterial network is proposed. We take advantage of the sensitivity of the models predictions for the pressure profiles within the main aorta to key model parameter values. We propose to use the patterns in the predicted differences from a base case as a way to infer to the most probable changes in the parameter values. We demonstrate this application using an impedance model that we have recently developed (Johnson, 2010). The input model parameters are all physiologically related, such as the geometric dimensions of large arteries, various blood properties, vessel elasticity, etc. and can therefore be patient specific. As a base case, nominal values from the literature are used. The necessary information to characterize the smaller arteries, arterioles, and capillaries is taken from a physical scaling model (West, 1999). Model predictions for the effective impedance of the human arterial system closely agree with experimental data available in the literature. The predictions for the pressure wave development along the main arteries are also found in qualitative agreement with previous published results. The model has been further validated against our own measured pressure data in the carotid and radial arteries, obtained from healthy individuals. Upon changes in the value of key model parameters, we show that the differences seen in the pressure profiles correspond to qualitatively different patterns for different parameters. This suggests the possibility of using the model in interpreting multiple pressure data of healthy/diseased individuals.