Waves and Windkessels reviewed

Pressure and flow are travelling waves and are reflected at many locations. The forward and reflected waves, obtained by wave separation, are compound waves. This compounded character of the reflected wave explains why its magnitude decreases with increased peripheral resistance, why it appears to run forward rather than backward, and why its return time relates poorly with aortic wave speed. A single tube (aorta) with distal reflection is therefore an incorrect arterial model. Wave Intensity Analysis (WIA) uses time derivatives of pressure and flow, augmenting rapid changes and incorrectly suggesting a ‘wave free period’ in diastole.

Source: Artery Research - March 31, 2017 Category: Cardiology Authors: Nicolaas Westerhof, Berend E. Westerhof Tags: Review Source Type: research