Three Dimensional Solid Modeling Of The Canine Biventricular Unit

Ventricular stress-strain relationships represent a fundamental characterization of myocardial function. Determination of the stress-strain relationship requires knowledge of ventricular loading, myocardial material properties and three dimensional (3D) geometry of the biventricular (BV) unit. The lack of detailed 3D representations of BV geometry represents a significant limitation in the application of myocardial stress-strain indicies. In this paper, the application of computer aided design and engineering (CAD/CAE) programs to the mathematical solid modeling of an isolated canine BV unit is described. Global and regional model volumes and regional model cross sectional area were found to be in general agreement with values obtained from the specimen. The creation of a solid model of the BV unit demonstrates the applicability of CADlCAE techniques to the representation of 3D cardiac anatomy. The representations resulting from solid modeling are suitable for a variety of applications and may provide a means of introducing biventricular anatomy into stress-strain analyses.