A bond graph model simulation showed that in hypertension, absent autonomic nervous system regulation further increased blood pressure by 8 mmHg and left ventricular wall thickness to 13.22 mm.
A computational bond graph model demonstrates that the autonomic nervous system plays a protective role in preventing rapid blood pressure rise and left ventricular thickening in hypertension.
A bond graph model of the cardiovascular system with embedded autonomic nervous regulation was developed for a better understanding of the role of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in hypertension. The model is described by a pump model of the heart and a detailed representation of the head and neck, pulmonary, coronary, abdomen and extremity circulation. It responds to sympathetic and parasympathetic activities by modifying systemic peripheral vascular resistance, heart rate, ventricular end-systolic elastance and venous unstressed volumes. The impairment of ANS is represented by an elevation of the baroreflex set point. The simulation results show that, compared with normotensive, in hypertension the systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) rose from 112/77 mmHg to 144/94 mmHg and the left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT) increased from 10 mm to 12.74 mm. In the case that ANS regulation was absent, both the SBP and DBP further increased by 8 mmHg and the LVWT increased to 13.22 mm. The results also demonstrate that when ANS regulation is not severely damaged, e.g. the baroreflex set point is 97 mmHg, it still has an effect in preventing the rapid rise of blood pressure in hypertension; however, with the worsening of ANS regulation, its protective role weakens. The results agree with human physiological and pathological features in hemodynamic parameters and carotid baroreflex function curves, and indicate the role of ANS in blood pressure regulation and heart protection. In conclusion, the present model may provide a valid approach to study the pathophysiological conditions of the cardiovascular system and the mechanism of ANS regulation.
Chen et al. (Tue,) conducted a other in Hypertension. Autonomic nervous system regulation (computational model) vs. Absence of autonomic nervous system regulation was evaluated on Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and left ventricular wall thickness. A bond graph model simulation showed that in hypertension, absent autonomic nervous system regulation further increased blood pressure by 8 mmHg and left ventricular wall thickness to 13.22 mm.