Computational modeling of the human atrial anatomy and electrophysiology

Abstract

This review article gives a comprehensive survey of the progress made in computational modeling of the human atria during the last 10 years. Modeling the anatomy has emerged from simple "peanut"-like structures to very detailed models including atrial wall and fiber direction. Electrophysiological models started with just two cellular models in 1998. Today, five models exist considering e.g. details of intracellular compartments and atrial heterogeneity. On the pathological side, modeling atrial remodeling and fibrotic tissue are the other important aspects. The bridge to data that are measured in the catheter laboratory and on the body surface (ECG) is under construction. Every measurement can be used either for model personalization or for validation. Potential clinical applications are briefly outlined and future research perspectives are suggested.

Heterogeneous and anisotropic integrative model of pulmonary veins: computational study of arrhythmogenic substrate for atrial fibrillation

“…Comprehensive review of such models can be found elsewhere [9]. However, even the most detailed three-dimensional models have not included accurate descriptions of fibre architecture in the atria.…”

Highest Dominant Frequency and Rotor Sites are Robust Markers for Atrial Driver Location in Non:invasive Mapping of Atrial Fibrillation

“…A realistic 3D model of the atrial anatomy composed by 284,578 nodes [3] was used to simulate the atrial electrical activity by solving the atrial cell formulation proposed by Koïvumaki et al [4]. Fibrotic tissue was modelled by electrically disconnecting between 20% and 60% of the total nodes.…”

Fifty years of publishing in biomedical engineering: reflections after 7-year editorship

“…Another important aspect by which the manuscripts are judged is the degree of innovation and the level of validation and also on thoroughness of the analysis. Hence, one may find in MBEC papers with a strong theoretical background such as the computation of the potential field [33], development of atrial fibrillation [10] and development of modeling framework for patientspecific computational hemodynamics [1]. This is not to say that a study on comparison of methods or instruments cannot make it into MBEC.…”