Digital twin for presurgical assessment of cardiac ablation

Team

• Argyrios Petras (project leader)
• Minha Anees

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, comprising of about 31 percent of the mortality of the population worldwide according to the World Health Organization. Heart rhythm problems are common cardiac conditions that introduce faster, slower or irregular heartbeats. Among the cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation is a serious case that can deteriorate the life of the patient, and in severe cases can lead to life-threatening situations. Radiofrequency catheter ablation is a standard minimally invasive treatment for severe cases. While typically safe, insufficient treatment might be provided, resulting in the reapplication of the process or complications might arise that can place the life of the patient at risk. As of today, the design of catheter technologies and the preliminary assessment of efficiency and safety of ablation protocols rely almost exclusively on animal experimentation.

This project aims to develop an accurate computer model that will provide a reliable alternative method in the field, fostering the reduction of the animal testing and its replacement with simulation scenarios. Using in-silico modelling of cardiac radiofrequency catheter ablation for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, the project will allow for the advancement of the computer models to simulate the procedure bridging the gap with direct clinical applicability.