Fig. 4.

Wave separation analysis performed using pressure (p) and flow velocity (U) waveforms obtained from 1) the reference simulation, 2) the reduced shortening velocity simulation, and 3) the arterial stiffening simulation. Wave reflection index ${\widehat{p}}_{\text{bw}}$/${\widehat{p}}_{\text{fw}}$ was calculated as the percentage ratio of backward pressure wave amplitude (${\widehat{p}}_{\text{bw}}$) and forward pressure wave amplitude (${\widehat{p}}_{\text{fw}}$) using wave separation analysis. The simulated aortic blood pressure waveform can be reconstructed by the addition of separated pressure components (p_fw and p_bw). The offset is determined by the pressure at t = 0.