Dynamic Finite Element Analysis on Surgical Ventricular Restoration

A dynamic finite element model that relates a regional myocardial impairment to its effects on overall hemodynamics was used to study the hemodynamic effects of surgical ventricular restoration (SVR). A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model of the left ventricle (LV) was integrated with an electrical analog model of the circulatory system. The model was implemented in customized C++ software with user interface for circulatory parameters and LV geometry. The hemodynamic effects of SVR were studied by progressively reducing the infarct size of a LV with a 40% infarction. A total of nine preoperative left ventricular conditions combining dilation and hypertrophy were studied. The model study suggests that an optimal operative point exists for achieving maximal hemodynamic benefits of the SVR. The optimal amount of infarct removal depends on the preoperative conditions, whereas the LV end-diastolic volume is a more important factor than the LV mass.