Optimization of topological complexity for one-dimensional arterial blood flow models

As computational models of the cardiovascular system are applied in modern personalized medicine, maximizing certainty of model input becomes crucial. A model with a high number of arterial segments results in a more realistic description of the system, but also requires a high number of parameters with associated uncertainties. In this paper, we present a method to optimize/reduce the number of arterial segments included in one-dimensional blood flow models, while preserving key features of flow and pressure waveforms. We quantify the preservation of key flow features for the optimal network with respect to the baseline networks (a 96-artery and a patient-specific coronary network) by various metrics and quantities like average relative error, pulse pressure and augmentation pressure. Furthermore, various physiological and pathological states are considered. For the aortic root and larger systemic artery pressure waveforms a network with minimal description of lower and upper limb arteries and no cerebra...