An Interactive 3D Anisotropic Cellular Automata Model of the Heart

Abstract

A 3D cellular anisotropic automata model with modifiable geometry is described. The modeling parameters include grain size, fiber orientation, and free-wall and septal thickness. From this modifiable model, three specific models corresponding to normal heart, left ventricular hypertrophy, and ventricular dilatation were generated. Each model is a conduction and propagation model in which the atria, the major atrial vessel bases, the ventricles, and the specialized conduction system are represented. Muscle tissues are modeled as bundles of fibers with anisotropic conduction speed of the activation wavefronts. Regional variations of conduction, refractory gradients, and regional potential gradients can also be specified before each simulation. Each element has adaptive properties with respect to cycle length and to the prematurity of incoming impulses. Action potentials can be specified for each cell and an equivalent source formulation is carried out to simulate the vectorcardiogram and the corresponding 12-standard-lead electrocardiogram.