Cardiovascular System Dynamics

Circulatory System Dynamics reviews cardiovascular dynamics from the analytical viewpoint and indicates ways in which the accumulated knowledge can be expanded and applied to further enhance understanding of the normal mammalian circulation, to ascertain the nature of difficulties associated with disease, and to test the effect of treatment. Comprised of 10 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the circulatory system, including its anatomy and the trigger for myocardial (heart muscle) contraction. The discussion then turns to measurement of blood pressure using invasive and non-invasive techniques; blood flow measurement, with emphasis on cardiac output and measurement in the microcirculation; the system and pulmonary arterial trees; and pulsatile pressure and flow in pulmonary veins. Subsequent chapters explore microcirculation and the anatomy of the microvasculature; the heart and coronary circulation, paying particular attention to the Frank-Starling mechanism and indices of myocardial "contractility"; and control of blood pressure, peripheral resistance, and cerebral flow. The last two chapters deal with circulatory assistance and the closed cardiovascular system. This book will be of interest to students, practitioners, and researchers in fields ranging from physiology and biology to biochemistry and biophysics.

This book offers a novel approach to the study of the mammalian cardiovascular system. Instead of focusing on a particular part of the system or on a particular group of techniques, or approaching the system from a particular point of view, it stresses a balanced presentation of ideas: —all the major component parts of the system are discussed, as well as the behavior of the system as an integrated whole —both basic and clinical viewpoints are represented —both detailed analysis and comprehensive synthesis are offered. In addition, trends in modern instrumentation and the use of computers in improving patient care are important and recurrent themes. Spirited discussions of current controversies and philosophies highlight the presentations. The 62 papers in this volume were invited for a major international conference, held in April 1975, which marked the coming of age of this field and led to the founding of the Cardiovascular System Dynamics Society. The conference brought together outstanding researchers in the life sciences (biology, physiology, medicine) and the physical sciences (biophysics, bioengineering) in order to integrate their findings more intricately and to chart the present state and future directions of the field. Since the cardiovascular system has been one of the first areas to receive attention under the newly emerging symbiosis between engineering and medicine, the book also serves a useful secondary purpose as a model of what can be accomplished by such integrated effort. The papers are organized into 12 sections. The first 9 offer a tour of the cardiovascular system, with papers arranged within each section to lead the reader from theoretical to clinical viewpoints. Included are sections on cardiac muscle, coronary circulation, ventricular dynamics, systemic arterial tree, microcirculation, systemic veins, pulmonary vasculature, control mechanisms in specific vascular beds, and cardiovascular system control. The last 3 sections offer tutorial overviews of theoretical and experimental methods applied to the cardiovascular system and of cardiovascular instrumentation and computer analysis.

The first edition of the book was written employing mathematical techniques to formulate the physical principles involved in the structural and functional correlates of the underlying physiology.This current and self-contained second edition updates many of the new findings since its first edition a decade ago. It also includes a new chapter on the 'Interaction with the Heart'. The dynamics of the arterial system, the venous system, the microcirculation and their interaction with the heart are quantitatively described in terms of their structures and functions. Clinical measurements, applications to the cardiovascular field and physiological mechanisms are clearly identified throughout the text. Most importantly, worked examples are provided, such that the readers can appreciate the application aspects of the underlying formulation.