A global sensitivity analysis approach applied to a multiscale model of microvascular flow

Abstract

A global sensitivity analysis of a multiscale computational model of microvascular flow is presented. A total of 140 simulations have been completed and analyzed varying 6 input parameters and considering their effects on 7 output variables. Interestingly, the vascular network topology has been found as a determinant factor for both vasculature-related and interstitium-related quantities. Regarding the firsts, the vascular network topology has obtained a score of 5.5/6 and 6/6 for average and spatial distribution respectively (where 6 is the maximum and 1 is the minimum). On the other hand, considering interstitium-related quantities, the score is 4/6 and 5/6 for average and spatial distribution respectively. These results suggest that the network topology has a significant influence on the outcome of the computational analysis.

Keywords:

• Global sensitivity analysis
• microcirculation
• multiscale/multiphysics models
• numerical simulations

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Acknowledgements

Authors thank Jordan Elliott for proofreading the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The work was partially funded by the Associazione Italiana Ricerca sul Cancro for the funding under the AIRC-IG n. 21479 (L.P.).