Numerical study of arterial flow during sustained external acceleration

A computer model of the human arterial tree based upon the one-dimensional flow equations is used to study the effects of sustained acceleration (+Gz) on eye-level arterial pressure and flow. Steady-state physiological compensatory mechanisms are modelled using human centrifuge data found in the literature. Cases investigated include the supine and standing human (+1 Gz), the application of resistive and occlusive anti-G suits, and the occurrence of a stenosis proximal to the carotid bifurcation. Results indicate that the simulated eye-level pressures and flows satisfactorily correspond with those found in the literature.