A computationally efficient physiologically comprehensive 3D-0D closed-loop model of the heart and circulation.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Computational Biology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Cardiac electro-mechanics (EM) computer models offer potential for quantitative clinical data analysis and predicting treatment responses.
• Key challenges include enhancing computational efficiency, robustness, and physiological completeness for advanced applications.
• Current models often lack the necessary features for personalized medicine and therapy prediction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a universal, feature-complete cardiac EM modeling framework.
• To couple a 3D bi-ventricular EM model with the 0D CircAdapt model for integrated cardiac and circulatory simulation.
• To evaluate the efficiency, robustness, and accuracy of the developed numerical scheme and solver.

Main Methods:

• Developed a flexible coupling method for a 3D bi-ventricular EM model and the 0D CircAdapt model.
• Provided a detailed mathematical description of the coupled model.
• Evaluated the numerical scheme and solver implementation for efficiency, robustness, and accuracy.

Main Results:

• Successfully parameterized and stabilized the coupled 3D-0D model to a limit cycle under baseline conditions.
• Demonstrated the model's ability to replicate physiological behaviors by simulating responses to altered loading and contractility.
• Validated against experimental protocols for assessing ventricular properties.

Conclusions:

• The novel cardiac EM modeling framework is mechanistically complete and computationally efficient.
• This model facilitates advanced applications for predicting acute outcomes of electro-mechanical therapies.
• The integrated approach enables personalized cardiac modeling and treatment prediction.