An updated Lagrangian constrained mixture model of pathological cardiac growth and remodelling.

Progressive left ventricular (LV) growth and remodelling (G&R) is often induced by volume and pressure overload, characterized by structural and functional adaptation through myocyte hypertrophy and extracellular matrix remodelling, which are dynamically regulated by biomechanical factors, inflammation, neurohormonal pathways, etc. When prolonged, it can eventually lead to irreversible heart failure. In this study, we have developed a new framework for modelling pathological cardiac G&R based on constrained mixture theory using an updated reference configuration, which is triggered by altered biomechanical factors to restore biomechanical homeostasis.

Residual Stress Estimates from Multi-cut Opening Angles of the Left Ventricle.

Purpose: Residual stress tensor has an essential influence on the mechanical behaviour of soft tissues and can be particularly useful in evaluating growth and remodelling of the heart and arteries. It is currently unclear if one single radial cut using the opening angle method can accurately estimate the residual stress. In many previous models, it has been assumed that a single radial cut can release the residual stress in a ring of the artery or left ventricle.

Coupled agent-based and hyperelastic modelling of the left ventricle post-myocardial infarction.

Understanding the healing and remodelling processes induced by myocardial infarction (MI) of the heart is important, and the mechanical properties of the myocardium post-MI can be indicative for effective treatments aimed at avoiding eventual heart failure. MI remodelling is a multiscale feedback process between the mechanical loading and cellular adaptation. In this paper, we use an agent-based model to describe collagen remodelling by fibroblasts regulated by chemical and mechanical cues after acute MI, and upscale into a finite element 3D left ventricular model.