Theoretical models for coronary vascular biomechanics: progress & challenges.
A key aim of the cardiac Physiome Project is to develop theoretical models to simulate the functional behaviour of the heart under physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Heart function is critically dependent on the delivery of an adequate blood supply to the myocardium via the coronary vasculature. Key to this critical function of the coronary vasculature is system dynamics that emerge via the interactions of the numerous constituent components at a range of spatial and temporal scales. Here, we focus on several components for which theoretical approaches can be applied, including vascular structure and mechanics, blood flow and mass transport, flow regulation, angiogenesis and vascular remodelling, and vascular cellular mechanics. For each component, we summarise the current state of the art in model development, and discuss areas requiring further research. We highlight the major challenges associated with integrating the component models to develop a computational tool that can ultimately be used to simulate the responses of the coronary vascular system to changing demands and to diseases and therapies.
Oxford Centre for Industrial and Applied mathematics, Mathematical Institute, 24-29 St Giles', Oxford, OX1 3LB, UK. waters@maths.ox.ac.uk
Sarah L
SL
Waters
Jordi
J
Alastruey
Daniel A
DA
Beard
Peter H M
PH
Bovendeerd
Peter F
PF
Davies
Girija
G
Jayaraman
Oliver E
OE
Jensen
Jack
J
Lee
Kim H
KH
Parker
Aleksander S
AS
Popel
Timothy W
TW
Secomb
Maria
M
Siebes
Spencer J
SJ
Sherwin
Rebecca J
RJ
Shipley
Nicolas P
NP
Smith
Frans N
FN
van de Vosse
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003326:Coronary Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000502:physiology; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism