The potential clinical role of solid modeling of the heart

L. Axel. M.D, PhD

This talk will give an overview of the open challenging research questions on the heart such as the limitations of current:

1) imaging methods (largely 2D and with limited point correspondence),

2) knowledge of the relevant material properties of the heart tissue, and

3) means to assess the forces within the heart wall.

While 3D modeling approaches cannot give true numbers to make up for these limitations, they can provide an effective way to synthesize what we do know and a rational basis for planning and evaluating therapies that are currently based largely on intuitive but potentially incorrect hypotheses about cardiac mechanics.