The eccentric position of the heart in the mammalian body and optimal energy transfer in single tube models.

Many phenomena cannot be explained by traditional haemodynamics models. For example, the hearts of all mammals are neither at one end of the circulatory system nor at the geometric centre. Based on a new circulation model, we report that if the heart is located at either of these two positions, the energy saving rule will be violated. We assume that the main arterial system is under a steady, distributed transverse vibration with the heart as the input power source. The equation of motion of the artery is governed by a new pressure wave equation with total energy. We analyse the effects of the heart position on the pressure pulse shape and the spectrum. By a simplifying T-tube model, we find that there are many harmonic oscillating modes for the overall arterial system. The position of the heart affects the weights of different modes. If the heart is at the midpoint or at one end of the body, none of the even harmonic modes can be excited. If the heart is at a third along the whole system, the third oscillation mode in the system is missing. Thus, from an efficiency point of view, this model gives a strong reason for all mammals' hearts being at an eccentric position. Tube simulations were carried out to confirm the theoretical prediction. A new standing wave model to analyse the variation of the pressure pulse shape along the artery is discussed. The interesting result indicates that our new pressure wave equation possesses a high problem solving potential. It provides a new tool for studying arterial dynamics.