The effect of cardiac properties on arterial pulse waves: An in-silico study

This study investigated the effects of cardiac properties variability on arterial pulse wave morphology using blood flow modelling and pulse wave analysis. A lumped-parameter model of the left part of the heart was coupled to a one-dimensional model of the arterial network and validated using reference pulse waveforms in turn verified by comparison with in vivo measurements. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the effects of variations in cardiac parameters on central and peripheral pulse waveforms. Results showed that left ventricle contractility, stroke volume, cardiac cycle duration, and heart valves impairment are determinants of central waveforms morphology, pulse pressure and its amplification. Contractility of the left atrium has negligible effects on arterial pulse waves. Results also suggested that it might be possible to infer left ventricular dysfunction by analysing the timing of the dicrotic notch and cardiac function by analysing PPG signals. This study has identified cardiac properties that may be extracted from in vivo central and peripheral pulse waves to assess cardiac function.