Computational Modeling of Ventricular Mechanics and Energetics

The system of equations, material constitutive laws, and boundary conditions required to construct an anatomically and biophysically based model of ventricular mechanics is reviewed. The models use high-order field descriptions to represent the geometry and embedded microstructural information relevant to whole organ function. Constitutive laws are presented which characterize the nonlinear passive elasticity of cardiac tissue and model the active development of tension produced by myocyte contraction. Finally, the integration of metabolic energetics with organ-scale mechanical simulations is discussed and future research directions are proposed.