title: Evaluation of ventricular wall stress and cardiac function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart disease characterized by both left ventricular dilatation and left ventricular systolic dysfunction, leading to cardiac remodeling and ultimately heart failure. We aimed to investigate the effect of dilated cardiomyopathy on the pump performance and myocardial wall mechanics using patient-specific finite element analysis. Results evinced pronounced end-systolic wall stress on left ventricular wall of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy as compared to that of normal hearts. In dilated cardiomyopathy, both end-diastolic and end-systolic pressure-volume relationships of left ventricle and right ventricle were shifted to the right compared to controls, suggesting reduced myocardial contractility. We hereby propose that finite element analysis represents a useful tool to assess the myocardial wall stress and cardiac work, which are responsible for progressive left ventricular deterioration and poor clinical course.
authors.affiliation: DICGIM, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scardulla
authors.affiliation: DICGIM, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rinaudo
authors.affiliation: Department for the Treatment and Study of Cardiothoracic Diseases and Cardiothoracic Transplantation, ISMETT, Palermo, Italy Fondazione Ri.MED, Palermo, Italy spasta@fondazionerimed.com.
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pasta
authors.affiliation: Department for the Treatment and Study of Cardiothoracic Diseases and Cardiothoracic Transplantation, ISMETT, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scardulla
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular
keywords: Dilated cardiomyopathy; cardiac mechanics; finite element analysis; wall stress