UT-Heart

UT-Heart simulates multiscale multiphysics cardiac function using a finite element model to reproduce electrophysiology, excitation–contraction coupling, and hemodynamics for patient-specific analysis and drug-safety assessment.

Key Features:

• Multiscale finite element simulation: Patient-specific finite element modeling captures organ-level mechanics and electrophysiology across scales to represent complex pathophysiological conditions, including prediction of responses to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).
• Electrophysiology and excitation–contraction coupling: Simulation of propagation of excitation, contraction, and relaxation integrating molecular aspects of cardiac electrophysiology and excitation–contraction coupling.
• Hemodynamic modeling: Generation and simulation of blood pressure and flow dynamics within the heart model.
• Proarrhythmic risk assessment: Combination of in vitro ion channel assay data with in silico cardiac electrophysiology simulations to predict drug-induced arrhythmogenic risk.
• Hazard mapping of ion channel inhibitors: Detailed hazard map outlining combinations of ion channel inhibitors and their predicted effects on cardiac electrophysiology.
• In silico ECG database: An in silico electrocardiogram (ECG) database is provided at http://ut-heart.com/ for use in proarrhythmic risk analyses.

Scientific Applications:

• Clinical medicine: Patient-specific simulations to analyze cardiac pathophysiology and to predict therapeutic outcomes such as responses to CRT.
• Drug discovery and safety assessment: Prediction of proarrhythmic risk and evaluation of ion channel inhibitor combinations to inform drug safety and development.

Methodology:

Finite element modeling of the heart with multiscale integration of molecular cardiac electrophysiology and excitation–contraction coupling into organ-level electrophysiology and hemodynamics; in silico electrophysiology simulations combined with in vitro ion channel assay data and hazard mapping of ion channel inhibitor combinations.