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Authors
Mogensen, Mads Lause; Steimle, Kristoffer Lindegaard; Karbing, Dan Stieper; Andreassen, Steen

Identifier
10.3182/20090812-3-DK-2006.00027

Index Terms
Circulatory and respiratory systems; Control of physiological and clinical variables,; Decision support and control of biomedical systems

Abstract
This study presents a stratified model that simulates the pulmonary capillary blood flow under influence of different lung volumes. The model includes capillary geometry, capillary wall elasticity, pressure exerted by the heart, blood viscosity, the erect of the chest wall and hydrostatic effects of the lung tissue and of the blood. The model simulates highly pulsatile blood flow with a heterogenous flow distribution down the lungs, in agreement with previous experimental studies. Moreover the model is in agreement with experimentally measured total capillary flow, total capillary volume, total capillary surface area and transition time of red blood cells passing through the pulmonary capillary network. The presented model is the first to describe the link between lung volume and perfusion.

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