[The problem of myocardial heterogeneity]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Biophysics
• Physiology

Context:

• Cardiac muscle exhibits heterogeneity at all organizational levels, from molecular to organ.
• Cardiomyocyte function is coordinated temporally and spatially during cardiac chamber wall motion.
• Understanding myocardial heterogeneity is crucial for comprehending cardiac mechanics.

Purpose:

• To review modern data on myocardial heterogeneity.
• To introduce and validate an index for spatio-temporal heterogeneity of left ventricular wall motion.
• To demonstrate the regulatory role of this heterogeneity index in left ventricular mechanical function.

Summary:

• Cardiac muscle is fundamentally a heterogeneous system, encompassing molecular, cellular, and organ levels.
• Cardiomyocyte function is intricately coordinated in space and time, driving complex wall motion.
• The proposed index of spatio-temporal heterogeneity in left ventricular wall motion reflects a key regulator of cardiac mechanical function.

Impact:

• Provides a novel metric for assessing left ventricular mechanical function.
• Enhances understanding of the fundamental role of heterogeneity in cardiac physiology.
• Offers potential for improved diagnostics and therapeutic strategies targeting cardiac mechanics.