Energy Dissipation in the Arterial Wall Analyzed by Allometric Relationships

Allometry describes the disproportionate changes in shape, size or function that are observed when comparing separate isolated features in animals spanning a range of body sizes. Scaling of the energy dissipation has been also observed in warm blooded animals, essentially varying as mammal's body mass (BM). Part of the energy stored in the arterial wall during elastic distension corresponding to the viscous deformation is dissipated within the arterial wall.

To elucidate the allometric existing relationship between BM and arterial wall viscosity, as a measure of energy dissipation.

Arterial viscous dissipation (W_VD) was assessed in dogs, sheep, and humans in terms of BM and heart rate (HR) variations.

An allometric law was found between W_VD and BM, jointly with the assessment of W_VD in terms of HR.

The existence of a power-law link for viscous dissipation and BM that involve different mammals was demonstrated.