Key result
Computational modeling of eccentric hypertrophic ventricular fibers showed increased stretches, reduced peak tension, and higher contraction velocities at smaller afterloads compared to healthy fibers.
A one-dimensional finite-element model predicts that eccentric hypertrophy alters the mechanical length-tension and tension-velocity relationships of ventricular fibers without significantly affecting action potential duration or conduction velocity.
Computational modeling suggests altered fiber mechanics in eccentric hypertrophy; hypothesis-generating and should not yet inform clinical practice.
The aim of this work is to study the effects of eccentric hypertrophy on the electromechanics of a single myocardial ventricular fiber by means of a one-dimensional finite-element strongly-coupled model. The electrical current ow model is written in the reference configuration and it is characterized by two geometric feedbacks, i.e. the conduction and convection ones, and by the mechanoelectric feedback due to stretchactivated channels. First, the influence of such feedbacks is investigated for both a healthy and a hypertrophic fiber in case of isometric simulations. No relevant discrepancies are found when disregarding one or more feedbacks for both fibers. Then, all feedbacks are taken into account while studying the electromechanical responses of fibers. The results from isometric tests do not point out any notable difference between the healthy and hypertrophic fibers as regards the action potential duration and conduction velocity. The length-tension relationships show increased stretches and reduced peak values for tension instead. The tension-velocity relationships derived from afterloaded isotonic and quick- release tests depict higher values of contraction velocity at smaller afterloads. Moreover, higher maximum shortenings are achieved during the isotonic contraction. In conclusion, our simulation results are innovative in predicting the electromechanical behavior of eccentric hypertrophic fibers.
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Bianco et al. (2017) studied Eccentric hypertrophy. Computational modeling of eccentric hypertrophy vs. Healthy fiber model was evaluated on Electromechanical response (action potential duration, conduction velocity, length-tension relationships). Computational modeling of eccentric hypertrophic ventricular fibers showed increased stretches, reduced peak tension, and higher contraction velocities at smaller afterloads compared to healthy fibers.
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