A model of left ventricular contraction and transmural ventricular deformation

The authors present a thick-wall ellipsoidal model of the left ventricle (LV) that takes into account its fiber structure in parallel with the well-known physiological properties of the muscle fibers and was constructed to describe both the transmural and global features of ventricular contraction. The model describes systolic function utilizing the force-length and force-velocity relationship of the fibers. The local oxygen consumption is simulated assuming a linear relationship with the area of the stress-length loop and the triangle between the loop and the maximum active force formed locally for each fiber. The model yields the transmural distribution of oxygen demand as a function of the loading conditions, and accounts for twist of the LV over its long axis during ejection. Thus, the model of LV function provides a comprehensive analytic tool to study the complex interactions between parameters of the ventricular function.