Mathematical modeling applied to the left ventricle of heart

TL;DR

This study developed a MATLAB-based mathematical model of the left ventricle in healthy hearts using echocardiographic data, enabling detailed visualization of myocardial fiber dynamics for improved cardiac diagnosis.

Contribution

The paper introduces a novel software that creates a comprehensive mathematical model of the left ventricle based on echocardiographic data, facilitating better understanding of cardiac mechanics.

Findings

Myocardial fibers originate from the posterior basal region.

Fibers loop around the apex and end at the superior-anterior edge.

The model accurately represents fiber dynamics in normal hearts.

Abstract

Background: How can mathematics help us to understand the mechanism of the cardiac motion? The best known approach is to take a mathematical model of the fibered structure, insert it into a more-or-less complex model of cardiac architecture, and then study the resulting fibers of activation that propagate through the myocardium. In our paper, we have attempted to create a novel software capable of demonstrate left ventricular (LV) model in normal hearts. Method: Echocardiography was performed on 70 healthy volunteers. Data evaluated included: velocity (radial, longitudinal, rotational and vector point), displacement (longitudinal and rotational), strain rate (longitudinal and circumferential) and strain (radial, longitudinal and circumferential) of all 16 LV myocardial segments. Using these data, force vectors of myocardial samples were estimated by MATLAB software, interfaced in the echocardiograph system. Dynamic orientation contraction (through the cardiac cycle) of every individual myocardial fiber could be created by adding together the sequential steps of the multiple fragmented sectors of that fiber. This way we attempted to mechanically illustrate the global LV model. Result: Our study shows that in normal cases myocardial fibers initiate from the posterior basal region of the heart, continues through the LV free wall, reaches the septum, loops around the apex, ascends, and ends at the superior-anterior edge of LV. Conclusion: We were able to define the whole LV myocardial model mathematically, by MATLAB software in normal subjects. This will enable physicians to diagnose and follow up many cardiac diseases when this software is interfaced within echocardiographic machines.