A role of network arrangements of microcirculation vessels in cardiovascular function.
The objective of the work was to explain the mechanisms for the appearance or creation of the so-called preferential channels for blood flow in tissues. We postulated that the addressed preferential blood flow occurs at the level of network structure of vascular system and results directly from its heterogeneity. The studies have been done in regular, two-dimensional network model of microvessels. Due to poorly defined dimensions, shapes and tortuousity of real vessels, the values of network elements were random. We examined how the heterogeneity of network elements influences flow redistribution within the network and the global network resistance to flow. The results indicated that the higher segmental resistance scatters the greater probability of the appearance within the network preferential flow paths passing through the whole network or being its local singularity. These channels significantly reduce the effect the global network resistance increases.
Cieslicki
K M
KM
Department of Fluid Mechanics, Institute of Automatic Control & Robotics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland.
Przybylski
J
J
D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation; D008954:Models, Biological