On the theory of the cardiovascular system

Most theoretical studies of the circulation have focussed on the transmission line properties of arteries. Only a small number of papers have dealt with the circulation as a closed (lumped) system with two pumps connected by the lesser and greater circulation (Beneken, inCirculatory Analog Computers, No. Holland Publ. Co., Amsterdam, 1963; Defares,et al., inCirculatory Analog Computers, No. Holland Publ. Co., Amsterdam, 1963; Grodins,Quart. Rev. of Biology,34, 93, 1959; Guyton,Cardiac Output and its Regulation, Saunders Publ. Co., New York, 1963). F. W. Cope's recent studies in this journal (Bull. Math. Biophysics,22, 19, 1960;23, 337, 1961;24, 137, 1962) deal with essentially the same questions, although here the circuit is not “closed”. We have attempted to extend the analysis of the areflex (closed) circulation. The complete study is reported elsewhere (Defares,et al., Acta Physiol, et Parmac. Neerl., 1963).