Optimality principle in vascular bifurcation

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Oka, Syoten | Nakai, Masatsugu

Affiliations: National Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Suita, Osaka 565, Japan

Note: [] Accepted by: Editor E. Fukada

Abstract: The optimal geometry of the vascular bifurcation is interpreted on the basis of the principle of minimum work. We consider the energy expenditure due to the viscosity of blood, and that for maintaining the metabolic states of the blood cells and of the vessel wall. It is shown that the optimal radii of the stern and branch vessels and the optimal branching angle are related to two parameters which represent the morphologic and metabolic states of the blood and the vessel wall. In the special case of symmetrical bifurcation, it was found that as the metabolic demand of the vessel wall becomes more apparent when compared with that of the blood, the branch radius relative to that of the stern takes values of from 0.794 down to 0.758 minimally, and the angle from 37.5° up to 48.7° maximally with respect to the direction of the stern.

Keywords: vascular bifurcation, vessel wall, vessel caliber, branching angle, optimality principle

DOI: 10.3233/BIR-1987-24624

Journal: Biorheology, vol. 24, no. 6, pp. 737-751, 1987