A 0-D model to predict the relationship between resistance and compliance in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Abstract

The inverse relationship between pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial compliance plays a significant role for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. The hyperbolic relationship between pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial compliance enables to evaluate the percentage of resistance reduction, which ultimately leads to an improvement in compliance. The numerical representation of the pulmonary circulation can help clinicians evaluate these key parameters in relation to therapeutic intervention. In this paper, we present a 0-D numerical model of the pulmonary circulation. The right ventricular pressure is reproduced using a modified time-varying elastance and the pulmonary bed is modelled with RLC elements. Preliminary results obtained from clinical parameters measured in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension are discussed in this context. The simulations performed using the 0-D model have been applied to a clinical setting to evaluate the percentage change induced on compliance by a reduction in resistance in fixed circulatory conditions.