The Capillary-Centric Model of Coupling-As-Thermodynamics
Abstract
Models of ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC) have historically described the heart as a
function of its energetic interaction with the arterial system. However, these models either
represent the dynamic, adaptive cardiovascular system (CVS) in isolation or sacrifice cardiac
mechanics to use simplified, time-averaged values across the cardiac cycle. In this thesis a
facsimile CVS is constructed that characterizes ventricular-arterial interactions with intact
cardiac mechanics as a function of whole-body thermo-fluid homeostatic regulation.
Simulation results indicate proportional-integral (PI) control of heart rate and arterial
resistance is conditionally sufficient to maintain body temperature during square-wave
exercise, but further elements may be required to mimic genuine physiological responses.
These simulations of the primitive model lay the framework of capillary-centric VAC through
the perspective of coupling-as-thermodynamics.