On the assessment of cardiac properties from pulse waves - A computational study

This work presents a computational study aimed to study the effect of cardiac properties on vascular pulse waveforms. A cardiovascular model consisting of a 0-D cardiac contraction model coupled to a 1-D model of blood flow in the human arterial tree was used. A univariate sensitivity analysis of pulse waveforms and haemodynamics indices to the parameters describing cardiac dynamics was performed. Results show that the left atrium contractility had negligible effects on vascular pulse waveforms. Left ventricle contractility, stroke volume, heart rate and leaking valves were found to be determinants of aortic blood pressure and flow wave morphology, pulse pressure, and pulse pressure amplification.