Publication

A Proof of Concept for Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of the Left Atrium in Atrial Fibrillation on a Patient-Specific Basis

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a fivefold increase in the risk of cerebrovascular events, being responsible of 15-18% of all strokes. The morphological and functional remodeling of the left atrium (LA) caused by AF favors blood stasis and, consequently, stroke risk. In this context, several clinical studies suggest that the stroke risk stratification could be improved by using hemodynamic information on the LA and the left atrial appendage (LAA). The goal of this study was to develop a personalized computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of the LA which could clarify the hemodynamic implications of AF on a patient-specific basis. In this paper, we present the developed model and its application to two AF patients as a preliminary advancement toward an optimized stroke risk stratification pipeline.

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Related concepts (22)
Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. It often begins as short periods of abnormal beating, which become longer or continuous over time. It may also start as other forms of arrhythmia such as atrial flutter that then transform into AF. Episodes can be asymptomatic. Symptomatic episodes may involve heart palpitations, fainting, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or chest pain.
Stroke
A stroke is a medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain causes cell death. There are two main types of stroke: ischemic, due to lack of blood flow, and hemorrhagic, due to bleeding. Both cause parts of the brain to stop functioning properly. Signs and symptoms of a stroke may include an inability to move or feel on one side of the body, problems understanding or speaking, dizziness, or loss of vision to one side. Signs and symptoms often appear soon after the stroke has occurred.
Atrial flutter
Atrial flutter (AFL) is a common abnormal heart rhythm that starts in the atrial chambers of the heart. When it first occurs, it is usually associated with a fast heart rate and is classified as a type of supraventricular tachycardia. Atrial flutter is characterized by a sudden-onset (usually) regular abnormal heart rhythm on an electrocardiogram (ECG) in which the heart rate is fast. Symptoms may include a feeling of the heart beating too fast, too hard, or skipping beats, chest discomfort, difficulty breathing, a feeling as if one's stomach has dropped, a feeling of being light-headed, or loss of consciousness.
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