Cardiomyopathy and thrombogenesis in cats through left atrial morphological and fluid dynamics analysis
Maria Isabel Pons1, Andy L Olivares1, Jordi Mill1
1PhySense, BCN MedTech, Department of Engineering, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Feline hearts reveal how left atrial appendage (LAA) shape influences blood flow and thrombus formation. Understanding these LAA morphology and flow dynamics can improve thrombosis risk management in patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Comparative Pathology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is linked to blood clots, often forming in the left atrial appendage (LAA).
- LAA morphology's role in thrombus formation is not fully understood.
- Cats, prone to cardiomyopathies and left atrial dilation, serve as a valuable model for studying thrombus development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate distinctions in left atrium (LA) and LAA morphology and blood flow patterns in feline hearts.
- To correlate these morphological and hemodynamic factors with thrombus formation.
- To enhance understanding of LAA function and thrombosis mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Advanced image processing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were applied to 24 feline hearts.
- Analysis included normal and cardiomyopathy subjects with varying degrees of left atrial dilation and thrombus presence.
- Key morphological parameters (e.g., LAA volume, ostium area) and blood flow velocities were quantified.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in heart weight, LAA volume, LA volume, ostium area, LAA centreline length, and ostium velocity between feline groups.
- Fluid simulations demonstrated reduced blood flow velocities within the LAA in hearts with existing thrombi.
- Lower LAA blood flow velocity correlated with an increased risk of thrombus formation.
Conclusions:
- Feline LAA morphology significantly impacts intra-appendage blood flow dynamics.
- Reduced blood flow velocity in the LAA is associated with a higher propensity for thrombus formation.
- These findings offer insights into thrombosis mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for managing thrombosis risk in cardiovascular disease.
Abstract:
The relationship between atrial fibrillation (AF), blood flow disturbances and thrombus formation is well-established in humans. Thrombi primarily form in the left atrial appendage (LAA), but the specific role of LAA morphology remains unclear. Felines, despite rarely experiencing AF, present a valuable model for studying human heart diseases. Cats exhibit a high incidence of cardiomyopathies, often accompanied by significant left atrial dilation and thrombus formation. This unique aspect prompts research focusing on LAA morphology and function in relation to thrombus development. Our study, using advanced image processing and fluid simulations on 24 cat hearts ranging from normal to cardiomyopathy subjects, aims to find distinctions in left atrium (LA) and LAA morphologies, blood flow patterns and their relation to thrombus formation. Significantly different variables in feline heart groups included: heart weight, LAA volume, LA volume, ostium area, ostium area-to-heart weight ratio, centreline length and velocity at the LAA ostium. Fluid simulations revealed lower LAA blood flow velocities and increased thrombotic risk in cases with thrombi. Our study enhances the understanding of LAA structure and function, offering insights into thrombus formation mechanisms with potential implications for better managing thrombosis risk in patients.
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