Modelling of aortic stenosis.

Abstract An analogue of a stenosis in a uniform tube is proposed. The stenosis is modelled with an inertial term and loss term in series. The magnitude of the first term represents the mass of blood in the stenotic section whilst the magnitude of the second term is determined by entrance length effects, contraction and expansion losses. The uniform tube is represented as a series of inductance, capacitance and resistance networks and terminated by a modified Windkessel. This model is programmed on a digital computer. The changes in amplitude of sinusoidal pressure and flow waves proximal and distal to the stenosis are computed, as a function of frequency for a range of stenoses. The predictions of the model are in good agreement with experimental work using a hydraulic test line and with previously reported work on aortic stenosis in the dog.