Simulating the interactions among vasomotion waves of peripheral vascular districts

Simulations are performed in order to analyze the tendency of oscillating peripheral vascular districts (PVDs) to maintain equal phases thus inducing low frequency (LF) waves in systemic arterial pressure (AP). A PVD model regulating the local flow by means of a delayed non-linear feedback displayed spontaneous oscillations with a 12 sec period in the pressure range (40-150 mmHg) of active flow compensation. Two identical PVDs loading the same windkessel compartment could oscillate in phase inducing significant (10% of mean) AP waves: however, this behavior was unstable. On the contrary, phase opposition (without AP waves) was stable and corresponded to an energetic minimum (-9 % compared to the unstable solution). The introduction of either baroreflex mechanisms or a central drive was able to steadily align the PVD phases. Vasomotion synchronization can be a powerful modulation mechanism of LF waves in systemic AP.