title: The microvascular unit size for fractal flow heterogeneity relevant for oxygen transport.
abstract: In this study we used a computer model for oxygen transport in heterogeneously perfused tissue to define the microvascular unit size of relevance to oxygen transport. Flow within this unit is presumably heterogeneous, but this internal heterogeneity is by definition of negligible importance for the oxygen tension distribution. In saline-perfused heart the linear dimension of the thus defined unit is 500 microns, in blood-perfused heart it is 100 microns.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Physiology, Free University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Beek
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Barends
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Westerhof
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001693:Biological Transport, Active; D017709:Fractals; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010477:Perfusion; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen