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Updated: May 15, 2026
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Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
Published on: July 3, 2013
Mechanical behaviour of the human atria
Chiara Bellini1, Elena S Di Martino, Salvatore Federico
1Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|December 25, 2012
Summary
This study characterizes healthy human atrial tissue mechanics, revealing it undergoes large deformations. A novel Fung-type potential model incorporates microstructural information for precise mechanical behavior prediction.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Understanding the mechanical properties of healthy human atrial tissue is crucial for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular diseases.
- Existing models often lack detailed microstructural information, limiting their predictive accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a local mechanical characterization of healthy human atrial tissues.
- To develop a microstructure-informed hyperelastic model for atrial tissue.
- To establish a precise structural meaning for Fung-type potentials based on tissue microstructure.
Main Methods:
- Harvesting and testing 32 human atrial tissue specimens using a planar biaxial device.
- Modeling the tissue as hyperelastic using a Fung-type elastic strain energy potential.
- Incorporating microstructural data (ground matrix, two fibre families) into the elasticity tensor.
Main Results:
- Healthy human atrial tissues undergo large deformations under physiological pressures (approx. 15 mmHg).
- The proposed Fung-type potential, informed by microstructure, accurately reflects the coupling between normal stresses and strains.
- This model provides a precise structural meaning to the potential based on fibre direction and properties.
Conclusions:
- The developed structurally-based Fung-type potential offers a more accurate mechanical characterization of atrial tissue.
- This model can discriminate among various testing protocols due to its consideration of stress-strain coupling.
- This approach advances the understanding of cardiac tissue mechanics and provides a foundation for future research.
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