TY - JOUR
T1 - The arterial Windkessel
AU - Westerhof, Nico
AU - Lankhaar, Jan-Willem
AU - Westerhof, Berend
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - Frank’s Windkessel model described the hemodynamics
of the arterial system in terms of resistance
and compliance. It explained aortic pressure decay in
diastole, but fell short in systole. Therefore characteristic
impedance was introduced as a third element of the
Windkessel model. Characteristic impedance links the
lumped Windkessel to transmission phenomena (e.g., wave
travel). Windkessels are used as hydraulic load for isolated
hearts and in studies of the entire circulation. Furthermore,
they are used to estimate total arterial compliance from
pressure and flow; several of these methods are reviewed.
Windkessels describe the general features of the input
impedance, with physiologically interpretable parameters.
Since it is a lumped model it is not suitable for the
assessment of spatially distributed phenomena and aspects
of wave travel, but it is a simple and fairly accurate
approximation of ventricular afterload.
AB - Frank’s Windkessel model described the hemodynamics
of the arterial system in terms of resistance
and compliance. It explained aortic pressure decay in
diastole, but fell short in systole. Therefore characteristic
impedance was introduced as a third element of the
Windkessel model. Characteristic impedance links the
lumped Windkessel to transmission phenomena (e.g., wave
travel). Windkessels are used as hydraulic load for isolated
hearts and in studies of the entire circulation. Furthermore,
they are used to estimate total arterial compliance from
pressure and flow; several of these methods are reviewed.
Windkessels describe the general features of the input
impedance, with physiologically interpretable parameters.
Since it is a lumped model it is not suitable for the
assessment of spatially distributed phenomena and aspects
of wave travel, but it is a simple and fairly accurate
approximation of ventricular afterload.
M3 - Article
JO - Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing
JF - Medical & Biological Engineering & Computing
SN - 0140-0118
ER -