QRS-T Angles as Markers for Heart Sphericity in Subjects With Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Simulation Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Computational Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is linked to adult cardiovascular disease.
• IUGR affects cardiac morphology (ventricular sphericity index) and electrical function (QRS and T-wave loops).
• The relationship between IUGR-induced cardiac remodelling and electrical alterations remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the link between IUGR-induced cardiac morphological changes and electrical function alterations.
• To utilize computational modeling to simulate these effects in realistic heart and torso models.

Main Methods:

• Created computational models with reduced ventricular sphericity index to simulate IUGR.
• Generated eight globular heart models by altering base-to-apex length and basal ventricular diameter.
• Computed QRS and T-wave dominant vectors and angles from simulated pseudo-electrocardiograms.
• Compared simulated results with clinical data and analyzed the impact of electrode positioning.

Main Results:

• Simulated QRS to T angles showed trends consistent with clinical findings in IUGR patients.
• The study supports the hypothesis that IUGR-induced cardiac remodelling contributes to observed angle changes.
• Electrode displacement was found to influence quantified angles, necessitating careful interpretation.

Conclusions:

• IUGR-induced cardiac morphological remodelling may explain observed electrical function changes.
• Computational modeling provides a valuable tool for understanding IUGR's cardiovascular impact.
• Accurate electrode placement is crucial for reliable interpretation of cardiac electrical measurements in IUGR studies.