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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2009 May 19.
Published in final edited form as: Exp Physiol. 2009 Apr;94(4):389–396. doi: 10.1113/expphysiol.2008.043281

Figure 3. Schematic representation of the parallel vascular bed model upon which a new mathematical model will be developed.

Figure 3

The model assumes that the Frank–Starling mechanism of the left ventricle is the primary determinant of systemic blood flow. Cardiac output (CO) is determined by the filling pressure (Ph) and compliance (Ch) of the heart. Arterial pressure (Pa) is a function of arterial blood volume and compliance of the arterial compartment (Ca). Pressure in vascular bed 1 (P1) is determined by its compliance (C1) and volume, which is established by arteriolar (R1a) and venous resistance (R1v) to flow across it. Similarly, pressure in vascular bed 2 (P2) is determined by its compliance (C2) and volume, which is established by arteriolar (R2a) and venous resistance (R2v) to flow across it. Although not illustrated, the sympathetic nervous system will differentially regulate the contribution of resistance and compliance of each vascular bed, and total blood volume will primarily be regulated by hormonal controllers of sodium and water excretion.