title: An introduction to wave intensity analysis.
abstract: Wave intensity analysis applies methods first used to study gas dynamics to cardiovascular haemodynamics. It is based on the method of characteristics solution of the 1-D equations derived from the conservation of mass and momentum in elastic vessels. The measured waveforms of pressure P and velocity U are described as the summation of successive wavefronts that propagate forward and backward through the vessels with magnitudes dP (+/-) and dU (+/-). The net wave intensity dPdU is the flux of energy per unit area carried by the wavefronts. It is positive for forward waves and negative for backward waves, providing a convenient tool for quantifying the timing, direction and magnitude of waves. Two methods, the PU-loop and the sum of squares, are given for calculating the wave speed c from simultaneous measurements of P and U at a single location. Given c, it is possible to separate the waveforms into their forward and backward components. Finally, the reservoir-wave hypothesis that the arterial and venous pressure can be conveniently thought of as the sum of a reservoir pressure arising from the total compliance of the vessels (the Windkessel effect) and the pressure associated with the waves is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College, London, UK. k.parker@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kim H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Parker
mesh_terms: D001683:Biological Clocks; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular