A Review on Microvascular Hemodynamics: The Control of Blood Flow Distribution, and Tissue Oxygenation

The microcirculation is a complex network of vessels ranging from as large as 100μm to as small as 5μm. This complex network is responsible for the regulation of oxygen to the surrounding tissues and ensures metabolite washout. With a more complete understanding of the microcirculation's physiologic and pathologic tendencies, engineers can create new solutions to combat blood pathologies and shock-related diseases. Over the last number of decades a grown interest in the microcirculation has resulted in the development of fundamental techniques to quantify the microvasculature flow and the release of oxygen to tissues.