The Strange Cerebrovascular Windkessel: a Simplified Model

Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) has been focused as a hypothetical concause in neurodegeneration. Mechanisms related to venous stasis are mainly considered; conversely, effects on venous pulse in the stiff intracranial (IC) compartment are poorly understood. Insight is here sought through a hyper-simplified model, including the IC arterial Windkessel (WK) and the arterio-venous capacitive coupling. The IC-WK was dimensioned by an open database. The resulting arterio-venous propagation of pulse showed phase anticipation and amplification of higher harmonics, which effect were noticeably augmented in CCSVI.