Steady-state time series and code

<p>Pressure-flow travelling waves are a key topic for understanding arterial haemodynamics. However, wave trasmission and reflection processes induced by body posture changes have not been thoroughly explored yet.</p> <p>Current <em>in-vivo</em> research has shown that the amount of wave reflection detected at the central level (ascending aorta, aortic arch) decreases during tilting to the upright position, despite the widely-proved stiffening of the cardiovascular system (CVS). Moreover, it is not known whether the optimized configuration of the arterial system typical of the supine condition - i.e., enabled propagation of direct waves vs. trapping of reflected waves, protecting the heart - is preserved or not after posture changes. </p> <p>To shed light on these aspects, we propose a multiscale modelling approach to inquire into posture-induced arterial wave dynamics elicited by simulated head-up tilting. In spite of remarkable remodelling of the human vasculature following posture changes, our analysis shows that: (i) vessels lumens at arterial bifurcations remain well matched in the forward direction; (ii) the reduced wave reflection observed at the central level seems to be caused by backward propagation of weakened pressure waves produced by cerebral autoregulation; and (iii) backward wave trapping is preserved upon orthostatic stress.</p>