Hemodynamics for the Vascular Surgeon

Knowledge of the pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disorders is necessary for vascular surgeons to identify disease and develop appropriate treatment plans. Hemodynamics is the branch of physiology dealing with the forces involved in the circulation of the blood. Principles of hemodynamics and blood flow physiology are the basis for noninvasive vascular testing methods that are used for diagnosis and objective assessment of disease severity. Clinical decision making should incorporate anatomic, functional, and physiologic considerations. This review focuses on understanding clinical applications of fundamental hemodynamic principles as they apply in normal and pathologic states. Key concepts are presented in the context of common clinical scenarios. This review contains 18 figures, and 43 references. Key words: ambulatory venous hypertension; collateral development; fluid energy; Hagen-Poiseuille equation; laminar and nonlaminar (turbulent) flow; newtonian and nonnewtonian fluid characteristics; pressure and flow relationships; pressure, resistance, and regulation of perfusion; pulse wave propagation; venous capacitance; venous pump; wall tension, wall, shear, and the law of LaPlace