Computer Simulation Studies of the Venous Circulation

An analog computer model of the human cardiovascular system has been set up in which detailed attention is given to the representation of pressure and flow events in the veins, including effects of gravity, collapse, breathing, and the action of venous valves. This model, which includes a control loop for heart rate, was checked against human venous pressure waveforms and against response of the human to tilt-table experiments. These comparisons indicate that the model is valid for the study of postulated venous tone control characteristics; it should also be useful in the study of the mechanisms of venous return and circulatory system response during unusual acceleration conditions.