Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Structure-Function Relationships In The Pulmonary Arterial Tree, Christopher A. Dawson, Gary S. Krenz, Kelly Lynn Karau, Steven Thomas Haworth, Christopher C. Hanger, John H. Linehan

Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Knowledge of the relationship between structure and function of the normal pulmonary arterial tree is necessary for understanding normal pulmonary hemodynamics and the functional consequences of the vascular remodeling that accompanies pulmonary vascular diseases. In an effort to provide a means for relating the measurable vascular geometry and vessel mechanics data to the mean pressure-flow relationship and longitudinal pressure profile, we present a mathematical model of the pulmonary arterial tree. The model is based on the observation that the normal pulmonary arterial tree is a bifurcating tree in which the parent-to-daughter diameter ratios at a bifurcation and vessel distensibility are …