Modelling the human cardiorespiratory system using computer
simulation tools can serve to help physicians to comprehend the
causes and development of cardiorespiratory diseases. The objective
of this paper is to develop an integrated model of the cardiovascular
and respiratory systems, along with their intrinsic control
mechanisms, by combining analogous hydraulic-electric and diffusion-
electric circuits, respectively. This modelling task is performed
in object-oriented language in SIMSCAPE using the physical interconnected
components to define the underlying dynamic equations.
Simulation steady state results under rest and under variable
physical exercise conditions, as well as under limiting conditions
show a high qualitative agreement with clinical observations
reported in literature. This object-oriented modelling approach,
based on the combined use of electrical analogies, proves to be
avaluable tool as a test bench for different strategies aimed to
qualitative prediction of the effects of cardiorespiratory interactions
during exercise, thus avoiding the formulation of complex mathematical
models.
