Anisotropic computer heart models showed no significant differences compared to isotropic models in excitation processes or surface ECGs, but ventricular fibrillation was easier to induce.
Comparative simulations between isotropic and anisotropic computer heart models were conducted to study the effects of myocardial anisotropy on the excitation process of the heart and on body surface electrocardiogram. The isotropic heart model includes atria, ventricles, and a special conduction system, and is electrophysiologically specified by parameters relative to action potential, conduction velocity, automaticity, and pacing. The anisotropic heart model was created by incorporating rotating fiber directions into the ventricles of the isotropic heart model. The orientation of the myocardial fibers in the ventricles of the model was gradually rotated counterclockwise from the epicardial layer to the endocardial layer for a total rotation of 90 degrees. The anisotropy of conduction velocity and intracellular electric conductivity was included in the simulation. Comparative simulations of the normal heart, LBBB, and RBBB showed no significant differences between the two models in the excitation processes of the whole heart or in the body surface electrocardiograms. However, it was easier to induce ventricular fibrillation in the anisotropic model than in the isotropic model. The comparative simulation is useful for investigating the effects of myocardial anisotropy at the whole heart level and for evaluating limitations of the isotropic heart model.
Wei et al. (Sat,) conducted a other in Normal heart, LBBB, RBBB, ventricular fibrillation. Anisotropic computer heart model vs. Isotropic computer heart model was evaluated on Excitation process of the heart and body surface electrocardiogram. Anisotropic computer heart models showed no significant differences compared to isotropic models in excitation processes or surface ECGs, but ventricular fibrillation was easier to induce.