Computational Modeling of Ventricular Interdependence in Heart Failure

Introduction: The left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles are intrinsically linked directly via shared myofiber and an interventricular septum and indirectly via a closed loop hemodynamic circuit [1], a phenomenon known as ventricular interdependence. While this interdependence has been investigated for over a century [1], the individual contributions of these elements require further investigation and quantification, particularly in heart failure (HF). To address this, we performed in silico experiments that quantify the influence of specific contributors individually to elucidate the effects of LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) and systolic dysfunction (SD) on RV function and vice versa. We hypothesize that our simulations will capture interventricular interactions in HF and RV compensation in LV dysfunction. Materials and Methods: We developed a 6-compartment cardiovascular model that includes a 2-compartment biventricular heart model [2] encapsulated in a simple extensible pericardium [3] and a 4-compartment electrical circuit analog-based circulation model. The ventricles are based on the TriSeg model [2], which approximates the RV and LV free walls and septum as semispherical, thick-walled segments. Active and passive cardiac myofiber mechanics, geometry, and mechanical ventricular interdependence are used to calculate biventricular pressures and volumes. We use nominally healthy values for a 70 kg person for all model parameters. To simulate SD, we reduce active contractile function in the myofiber mechanics model, and for DD, we increase passive myofiber stiffness. Systolic and diastolic function are assessed by the end-systolic pressure-volume relationship (ESPVR) and end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR), respectively, over a range of filling volumes. Results: Acute LV SD affects neither RV systolic function nor RV diastolic function. Similarly, acute LV DD affects neither RV systolic function nor RV diastolic function. In contrast, both RV SD and RV DD impair LV filling and cause moderate LV DD with a maintained LV EF. Particularly in RV SD, the slope of the LV EDPVR is increased compared to the healthy case, suggesting LV stiffening. Note, this apparent LV stiffening is not due to either wall thickening or changes in LV passive mechanics but instead due to ventricular interactions and septal bowing. In addition, with increasing LV dysfunction the cardiac power (area of the pressure-volume loop) decreased while the RV cardiac power increased, suggesting RV compensation to maintain a healthy cardiac output. Conclusions: We observed that three dysfunction simulations (LV DD, RV SD, and RV DD) exhibit phenotypes seen in HFpEF (LV DD and EF > 50%), suggesting multiple modes of HF in HFpEF, which is consistent with and may help explain the clinical heterogeneity of HFpEF. With more refined and specific diagnostic categories of HFpEF, more targeted treatments can be developed, which will likely improv outcomes in this disease state. NIH R01HL154624 (NCC and DAB), NIH T32HL116270 (SMK), and NIH T32HL00785322 (EBR) This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.