Lymph flow characteristics and microvascular exchange: an analog computer simulation.

Lymphatic flow characteristics, which include both progressive lymphatic blockage and plateau of lymph flow with increasing interstitial fluid volume, were incorporated into an analog computer simulation of microvascular exchange, and their effects on interstitial fluid volume and protein content were investigated. The steady state and transient response of the microcirculation to changes in the properties of the lymph flow system are reported. The interstitial fluid and protein content is investigated as a function of venous pressure and for changes associated with the lymph flow characteristics. The interstitial protein content is generally more sensitive to changes in the lymph flow properties than is interstitial fluid volume. Properties of lymphatic drainage of tissues as they effect microvascular exchange are discussed.