Effects of viscoelasticity of blood on wave propagation in the circulation.

Abstract The influence of blood viscoelasticity on the wave propagation characteristics of sections of the human circulation, is determined using a linear, small signal theory for wave propagation in a viscoelastic tube filled with a viscoelastic fluid. Simple models of three vessels are considered, the aorta, the radial artery, and the coronary artery. Sections of these vessels 20 cm long and of uniform diameter are given realistic termination conditions. The propagation velocity, attenuation, input impedance, and spatial distributions of the pressure and flow are determined in the frequency range from 0·1 to 1000 Hz. The results delineate specifically the influence of blood elasticity on these wave propagation-related properties. Generally, this influence is greatest in the smallest vessel.