Lumped Parameter Modeling of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Hemodynamics

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, affecting approximately 17.9 million people in 2015. This results in huge socio-economic burden on the US with over $500 billion spent annually. While human and animal model studies yield the best results, computer models of the cardiovascular system provide researchers with a simpler alternative to study hemodynamics in order to better understand and treat cardiovascular disease. The goal of this work was to develop a coupled cardio-and-cerebrovascular computer model that would reproduce physiologically accurate pressures and flowrates in arterial segments. The model could then be used to investigate phenomena resulting from the coupling of the cardio-and-cerebrovascular system. An analog of an electrical circuit was used to simulate blood flow. The flowrates and pressures calculated using this model were then compared to clinical measurements to validate the model. The resulting pressures and flow rates matched those that are measured clinically, validating the model. This model can be used to investigate the relationship between the cardio-and-cerebrovascular system.