biomechanics Biomechanics is the study of the structure, function and motion of the mechanical aspects of biological systems, at any level from whole organisms to organs, cells and cell organelles, using the methods of mechanics. Biomechanics is a branch of ...

, the Moens–Korteweg equation models the relationship between wave speed or

pulse wave velocity Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is the velocity at which the blood pressure pulse propagates through the circulatory system, usually an artery or a combined length of arteries. PWV is used clinically as a measure of arterial stiffness and can be readil ...

(PWV) and the incremental

elastic modulus An elastic modulus (also known as modulus of elasticity) is the unit of measurement of an object's or substance's resistance to being deformed elastically (i.e., non-permanently) when a stress is applied to it. The elastic modulus of an object is ...

of the arterial wall or its

distensibility Distensibility is a metric of the stiffness of blood vessels. It is defined as D = \frac, where d_ and d_ are the diameter of the vessel in systole and diastole, and p_and p_are the systolic and diastolic blood pressure Blood pressure (BP) is ...

. The equation was derived independently by

Adriaan Isebree Moens Adriaan Isebree Moens (15 November 1846 – 24 June 1891) was a Dutch physician and physiologist. He is known for his work on arterial stiffness and the propagation of waves in elastic tubes. Life and family Adriaan Isebree Moens was the son of ...

and

Diederik Korteweg Diederik Johannes Korteweg (31 March 1848 – 10 May 1941) was a Dutch mathematician. He is now best remembered for his work on the Korteweg–de Vries equation, together with Gustav de Vries. Early life and education Diederik Korteweg's father ...

. It is derived from Newton's second law of motion, using some simplifying assumptions, and reads: :

PWV = \sqrt

The Moens–Korteweg equation states that PWV is proportional to the square root of the incremental elastic modulus, (''E''_inc), of the vessel wall given constant ratio of wall thickness, ''h'', to vessel radius, ''r'', and blood density, ρ, assuming that the artery wall is isotropic and experiences isovolumetric change with pulse pressure.

References

Further reading