Relating beat-to-beat windkessel model parameters to heart rate variations in equine and canine arterial systems

Arterial system function is often assessed by the arterial compliance and peripheral resistance, two governing parameters of the windkessel model. How these two parameters vary dynamically with changing heart rates within a single species and in different mammalian species have been investigated to a limited extent. The authors examine this aspect by computing the ratio of the windkessel time constant to the cardiac period due to primary and secondary alterations in heart rates in horses and dogs. Results show that with changing heart rates the arterial system changes dynamically by adjusting the large vessel compliance and peripheral vascular resistance.