Total systemic arterial compliance and aortic characteristic impedance in the dog as a function of pressure: a model based study.

Total arterial compliance and aortic characteristic impedance as a function of pressure in the anesthetized closed chest dog (n = 5) were studied. The three-element windkessel (consisting of a peripheral resistance, a total systemic arterial compliance, and an aortic characteristic impedance) was assumed as an arterial model. Aortic pressure was varied by pacing the heart at different rates after the production of atrioventricular block and by administration of Angiotensin and Hydralazine. Model parameters were estimated by two different methods. The first was based on a computerized optimization procedure using all the information contained in the aortic pressure and flow waveforms. The second method used the diastolic decay of aortic pressure to compute total arterial compliance and used the arterial input impedance spectrum to compute aortic characteristic impedance. Total arterial compliance and aortic characteristic impedance changed with pressure. The parameter optimization procedure yielded values of total arterial compliance ranging from 0.20 to 1.4 ml/mmHg and values of aortic characteristic impedance ranging from 0.05 to 0.42 mmHg sec/ml. Values of parameters estimated on the basis of the impedance spectrum and diastolic pressure decay were similar. Compliance values as a function of mean aortic pressure could be fitted with a bell-shaped curve similar to that found from in vitro studies of aortic segments. Characteristic impedance values as a function of mean aortic pressure could be fitted with a parabolic function the minimum of which was found in the range of control to high pressures (90-160 mmHg).