The Physics of Pulsatile Flow (Biological and Medical Physics, Biomedical Engineering)

John K-J. Li, Ph.D.
Professor II(distinguished)
Biomedical Engineering at Rutgers
(Author of "Arterial Circulation" and
"Comparative Cardiovascular Dynamics of Mammals")


A work of art, a classic, February 11, 2002   February 20, 2002
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Professor Zamir's new book is an exceptionally strong, beautiful and persuasive treatise on the physics of flow through tubes and tree-shaped paths, in steady and unsteady flow. This work is fundamental physics. The mathematical treatment is authoritative and very accessible. The concepts apply not only to blood circulation, for which most of the empirical data are carefully documented, but also to other tree-shaped flows, from physiology and geophysics to optimized piping networks in mechanical and civil engineering.

This book has many strong features, all packed into a concise (no nonsense) and very well illustrated format. The issue of whether blood flow is newtonian or viscoelastic is explained from first principles: each model is valid under specific circumstances, which are identified. Very strong is the treatment of pulsatile flows through elastic tubes. Such flows consist of waves that propagate through the circulatory system, and large numbers of waves that are reflected by flow obstacles (e.g., bifurcations).

Important is that in pulsatile flow through a tree structure, the many wave reflections help the flow. They maximize the overall flow access from the heart to the entire body. This conclusion of "optimization" of flow structure is important in physics and biology in general.

Detailed measurements of the architecture of the arterial tree are condensed in this book. Graphic summaries of this architecture (e.g., Fig. 6.8.5) are so well done that they will become textbook material in the near future.

In sum, this is a masterful and inspiring book on the most important class of flows in physics, biology and engineering-flows with purpose. The structure of such flows is optimized in space and in time.


A very informative book   January 8, 2002
As a researcher with expertise in electrical engineering and specialization in the fields of digital signal and image processing "The Physics of Pulsatile Flow" was a big help in quickly understanding the basics of pulsatile flow in general. In particular, I needed to model the wall velocity of blood vessels as a function of the velocity of a viscous fluid pumped through that vessel and found a good first approach for solving this problem in chapter 5 called "pulsatile flow in an elastic tube". The references given throughout the book are also valuable to gain further insights.
I liked most that after a few minutes (or hours depending on your mathematical level of understanding) of reading, the basic principles and their solution became very clear. As we all know it is easy enough to write complicated things in a complicated manner - much more challenging is the task of using clear and easy to understand formulations. This has been masterly accomplished here by Professor Zamir and I congratulate him on this informative and instructive book. Furthermore, Dr. Zamir very quickly answered my email about a specific question of mine that was still remaining after reading the book. I really appreciated that!


An excellent book for moving boundary problems & blood flow   July 20, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

The Physics of Pulsatile Flow is a great introduction to the area of biofluid mechanics. Especially to those who have to solve moving boundary value problems in blood flow. It is extremely well writen so even a beginer will be able to understand fully every concept. It begins with the basic concepts & equations of fluid mechanics(Navier - Stokes, chapters 1-2)it goes on with Poiseuille flow (chapter 3), Pulsatile flowin a Rigid tube (chapter 4) and the most important chapters "Pulsatile flow in an elastic tube" (chapter 5) and "Wave reflections" (chapter 6) which has to do with waves in arterial trees. The book also presents the approach of the solution of blood flow in a rigid tube with an elliptic cross section. I didn't regreted the money I paid for it. It centerly worth it's price.