Vol. 284, Issue 6, H2192-H2203, June 2003
Flow and pressure distributions in vascular networks
consisting of distensible vessels
Gary S.
Krenz1,3 and
Christopher A.
Dawson2,3,4
Departments of 1 Mathematics, Statistics, and
Computer Science and 2 Biomedical Engineering, Marquette
University, Milwaukee 53201-1881; 3 Research Service,
Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Milwaukee 53295; and
4 Department of Physiology, Medical College of
Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226
We examine the influence of vessel
distensibility on the fraction of the total network flow passing
through each vessel of a model vascular network. An exact computational
methodology is developed yielding an analytic proof. For a class of
structurally heterogeneous asymmetric vascular networks, if all the
individual vessels share a common distensibility relation when the
total network flow is changed, this methodology proves that each vessel will continue to receive the same fraction of the total network flow.
This constant flow partitioning occurs despite a redistribution of
pressures, which may result in a decrease in the diameter of one and an
increase in the diameter of the other of two vessels having a common
diameter at a common pressure. This theoretical observation, taken
along with published experimental observations on pulmonary vessel
distensibilities, suggests that vessel diameter-independent distensibility in the pulmonary vasculature may be an evolutionary adaptation for preserving the spatial distribution of pulmonary blood
flow in the face of large variations in cardiac output.
flow partitioning; heterogeneity; mathematical models; nonlinear; pulmonary circulation