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Valveless pumping behavior of the simulated embryonic heart tube as a function of contractile patterns and myocardial stiffness

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Abstract

During development, the heart begins pumping as a valveless multilayered tube capable of driving blood flow throughout the embryonic vasculature. The mechanical properties and how they interface with pumping function are not well-defined at this stage. Here, we evaluate pumping patterns using a fluid–structure interaction computational model, combined with experimental data and an energetic analysis to investigate myocardial mechanical properties. Through this work, we propose that a myocardium modeled as a Neo-Hookean material with a material constant on the order of 10 kPa is necessary for the heart tube to function with an optimal pressure and cardiac output.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Alireza Sharifi & David Bark

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Alex Gendernalik & David Bark

  3. Department of Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA

    Deborah Garrity

  4. Department of Pediatrics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA

    David Bark

Authors
  1. Alireza Sharifi
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  2. Alex Gendernalik
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  3. Deborah Garrity
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  4. David Bark
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Correspondence to David Bark.

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Sharifi, A., Gendernalik, A., Garrity, D. et al. Valveless pumping behavior of the simulated embryonic heart tube as a function of contractile patterns and myocardial stiffness. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 20, 2001–2012 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-021-01489-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-021-01489-7

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