Department of Mathematics
Cardiac Forcing in Models of Human Hemodynamics
Scott Stevens
University of Montana
Many mathematical models of human circulatory dynamics require a preliminary function which accurately describes cardiac output. Approximations of human cardiac output are often given in terms of mean output, such as 5,000 mL/min. However, this description is of little use in resolving the pressure pulses caused by oscillations about the mean value. This talk develops and presents a ``smooth'', periodic function describing ventricular output which accurately depicts these oscillations. The function is based on the heart rate and stroke volume as well as some preliminary assumptions regarding cardiac systole. The simplicity combined with the flexibility of this function makes it a practical forcing term for models of the human circulatory system describing normal and patho-physiology. In particular, this function is set in the context of a model describing human circulatory dynamics in microgravity. A good deal of this talk will be devoted to exploring the many aspects of this model.
All interested persons are welcome.
The talk will be accessible to upper class students.