Commentary: Increased Windkessel effect is a sign of aortic aneurysm

[摘要] Viscoelastic compliance allows the aorta to serve as an important pressure-moderating reservoir. The aorta stretches as internal pressure rises during systole and recoils as pressure falls during diastole. This “Windkessel effect” smooths the fluctuations in pulse pressure to maintain distal organ perfusion during diastole. Replacement of the ascending aorta with a polyester graft is thought to lose part of that Windkessel effect and to increase aortic input impedance and pressure amplitude, as represented in some mathematical models.

[学科分类] 心脏病和心血管学