A Computational Model of Multiple Interconnected Capillary Modules in Skeletal Muscle
Abstract
Background: Skeletal muscle (SM), with its precise O2 supply-demand matching, is ideal for studying microvascular (MV) function, which is crucial in cardiovascular physiology and disease. Our goal is to gain understanding of SM microcirculation using recent capillary network module (CM) data from rat in a computational model.
Methods: We construct a 4-CM network, with single-vessel equivalents for each CM, three arterioles, and two venules. A two-phase (plasma/RBCs) steady-state model is used to calculate blood flow. An iterative boundary pressure finding method is developed to match flow in CMs.
Results: We validate our flow and pressure models vs. experimental data, and show how inflow hematocrit affects resistance and RBC distribution. We show that venular pressure regulation is needed to control individual CM RBC flow.
Discussion: Our computational model sheds new light on flow and regulation in interconnected CMs, and supports future studies using more CMs or time-dependent flow and regulation.