A computational model of myocardial microcirculation including interstitial flow

Contributions of interstitial fluid (ISF) flow within the myocardial microcirculation is not well understood despite its importance due to difficulties in measurements. For analysing a contribution of interstitial fluid flow within myocardial microcirculation, we developed a computational model of myocardial microcirculation by introducing convection by the ISF flow into an existing myocardial microcirculation model, and performed simulations with varied ISF flows in normal and hypoperfusion conditions. Simulation results show that the ISF flow has a contribution only with low capillary flow. This might suggest partial comensation of oxygen supply by the ISF flow under ischemic conditions.