Validation of a computer model for the determination of aortic compliance curves

A reduction in aortic compliance (AC) is known to be a marker for atherosclerosis. Since specific AC measurements are dependent upon the patient´s current hemodynamic state, an individual´s aortic compliance is best defined as a series of complex curves using computer models that incorporate the effects of reflexes and the mechanical state of the artery. A computer model of the aorta based on physiologic principles was constructed to define subject-specific AC curves using clinically determined hemodynamic profiles. To validate the method, actual compliance was measured in chronically instrumented conscious dogs over a varying range of hemodynamic states and compared to those values predicted by the computer simulation. In 7 dogs studied there was no significant difference in the values of AC determined from the simulated curves and those observed in the individual animals at two widely different levels of heart rate, stroke volume and arterial pressure