title: What stops the flow of blood from the heart?
abstract: The determinants of aortic pressure and flow are generally studied using impedance methods, the results of which indicate that reflected waves are important, particularly during aortic flow deceleration. An alternative analysis of measured aortic pressure and velocity, using the method of characteristics to calculate the energy flux per unit area of the waves, suggests a different conclusion. We suggest that aortic deceleration is caused by a discrete expansion wave propagating from the left ventricle, and that energy thus recovered by the ventricle may be coupled to early filling of the ventricle.
authors.affiliation: Physiological Flow Studies Unit, Imperial College, London, U.K.
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Gibson
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000502:physiology*; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D013318:Stroke Volume