Interfacial tension effects in the microvasculature

Abstract A theoretical model of interfacial tension effects at the microvascular level is presented. The model predicts that interfacial tension, if present between blood and vascular endothelium, will lead to critical closure at low perfusion pressure. In order to calculate critical closing pressure predicted by the model, blood-endothelium interfacial tension was determined using an “equation of state” approach, from experimentally measured values of surface tension of blood and vascular endothelium. Calculated critical closing pressure was found to be in good agreement with experimentally measured closing pressure in vasodilated vasculature. It is suggested that manipulation of the surface tension of blood to decrease interfacial forces may be clinically beneficial.