Three-dimensional cardiac computational modelling: methods, features and applications.

Alejandro Lopez-Perez,Rafael Sebastian,Jose M Ferrero

doi:10.1186/s12938-015-0033-5

Alejandro Lopez-Perez, Rafael Sebastian + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12938-015-0033-5

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Abstract

The combination of computational models and biophysical simulations can help to interpret an array of experimental data and contribute to the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases such as cardiac arrhythmias. For this reason, three-dimensional (3D) cardiac computational modelling is currently a rising field of research. The advance of medical imaging technology over the last decades has allowed the evolution from generic to patient-specific 3D cardiac models that faithfully represent the anatomy and different cardiac features of a given alive subject. Here we analyse sixty representative 3D cardiac computational models developed and published during the last fifty years, describing their information sources, features, development methods and online availability. This paper also reviews the necessary components to build a 3D computational model of the heart aimed at biophysical simulation, paying especial attention to cardiac electrophysiology (EP), and the existing approaches to incorporate those components. We assess the challenges associated to the different steps of the building process, from the processing of raw clinical or biological data to the final application, including image segmentation, inclusion of substructures and meshing among others. We briefly outline the personalisation approaches that are currently available in 3D cardiac computational modelling. Finally, we present examples of several specific applications, mainly related to cardiac EP simulation and model-based image analysis, showing the potential usefulness of 3D cardiac computational modelling into clinical environments as a tool to aid in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiac diseases.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12938-015-0033-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Highlights

Some decades ago, three-dimensional (3D) cardiac computational models were only used for very simple computational simulations of cardiac electrophysiology (EP) or cardiac mechanics analysis
This paper presents a review of the methods used to construct 3D cardiac computational models since their earliest developments until today, and discusses their advantages and applicability to different areas
The methods to include the conduction system (CCS) function in computational models are often based on altered endocardial properties that emulate faster activations [89], the setup of a number of early activation points obtained from the literature or electrical recordings [91], or simplified models that aim to emulate the structure of the CCS network. The latter models can be constructed using different techniques such as manual delineation of CCS on the endocardial surfaces of a 3D cardiac model [41], fractal tree-like representations [92], or algorithms based on the characterisation of the main features of the CCS structure obtained from ex-vivo population data by means of histological studies of animal hearts [93]

Summary

Introduction

Three-dimensional (3D) cardiac computational models were only used for very simple computational simulations of cardiac electrophysiology (EP) or cardiac mechanics analysis. The section addresses the different stages of the development process of a 3D cardiac model (3D reconstruction of cardiac anatomy, meshing, etc.) and reviews the available methods to construct a model and to include certain heart features (fibre orientation, cardiac conduction system, ischaemic scars, etc.) in a computational model aimed at biophysical simulation with especial attention to cardiac EP.

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Conclusion