Analysis of transverse wave as a propagation mode for the pressure pulse in large arteries

A general axial momentum equation for fluid inside a transverse vibrating elastic tube is derived here. In a system with high pressure and low elastic modulus, transverse motion of the wall contributes important nonlinear forces, and the longitudinal fluid wave which assumes that flow is governed by the Navier-Stokes equation cannot describe the pulse wave completely. By comparing the transverse elastic wave with the longitudinal fluid wave, we conclude that transverse wave is a significant wave mode in large arteries. The longitudinal stress force, commonly ignored in the literature, can be considered as a significant factor that influences the propagation of the arterial pulse.