Figure 5
From: WEB downloadable software for training in cardiovascular hemodynamics in the (3-D) stress echo lab
The steady (Systemic Vascular Resistance) and the pulsatile (Systemic Arterial Compliance) components of Arterial Elastance. In the cartoon (left panel) the skinny snake is a thin pipe with high strength, the snake stretched by food is a low resistance conduit. In the cartoon (middle panel) the compliant snake easily dilates itself and pushes the food at pulsatile waves. In the cartoon (right panel) the blind zoo guardian unsuccessfully try to use the snake tail (extremely resistive and no compliant) as a water conduct. Increased systemic vascular resistance and decreased total arterial compliance both contribute to the high arterial load in hypertensive patients.