Clinical benefits of integrating cardiac and vascular models.

Introduction: Recent advances in computational methods and medical imaging techniques have enabled non-invasive exploration of cardiovascular pathologies, from cardiac level to complex arterial networks. The potential of cardiac and vascular modeling in guiding and monitoring therapies could be further extended through the integration of the two systems.

Areas Covered: This review includes advances in methods for cardiac electromechanics and vascular flow simulations.

Applicability of body surface potential map in computerized optimization of biventricular pacing.

Biventricular pacing (BVP) could be improved by identifying the patient-specific optimal electrode positions. Body surface potential map (BSPM) is a non-invasive technique for obtaining the electrophysiology and pathology of a patient. The study proposes the use of BSPM as input for an automated non-invasive strategy based on a personalized computer model of the heart, to identify the patient pathology and specific optimal treatment with BVP devices.

Efficiency of timing delays and electrode positions in optimization of biventricular pacing: a simulation study.

Electrode positions and timing delays influence the efficacy of biventricular pacing (BVP). Accordingly, this study focuses on BVP optimization, using a detailed 3-D electrophysiological model of the human heart, which is adapted to patient-specific anatomy and pathophysiology. The research is effectuated on ten heart models with left bundle branch block and myocardial infarction derived from magnetic resonance and computed tomography data.

Concurrent optimization of timing delays and electrode positioning in biventricular pacing based on a computer heart model assuming 17 left ventricular segments.

Background: The efficacy of cardiac resynchronization therapy through biventricular pacing (BVP) has been demonstrated by numerous studies in patients suffering from congestive heart failure. In order to achieve a guideline for optimal treatment with BVP devices, an automated non-invasive strategy based on a computer model of the heart is presented.

Materials And Methods: The presented research investigates an off-line optimization algorithm regarding electrode positioning and timing delays.

Computer model for the optimization of AV and VV delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy.

An optimal electrode position, atrio-ventricular (AV) and interventricular (VV) delay in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves its success. An optimization strategy does not yet exist. A computer model of the Visible Man and a patient heart was used to simulate an atrio-ventricular and a left bundle branch block with 0%, 20% and 40% reduction in interventricular conduction velocity, respectively.