Title :
The effects of inhomogeneities and anisotropies on electrocardiographic fields: a three-dimensional finite element study
Author :
Klepfer, Ruth Nicholson ; Johnson, Christopher R. ; MacLeod, Robert S.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Bioeng., Utah Univ., Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Abstract :
We provide quantitative information on the effects of selected inhomogeneities and anisotropies on the finite element solution of the forward electrocardiographic field problem. The geometry of the model is based on the Utah Torso model and includes epicardial fatpads, cardiac chambers, major arteries and veins, sternum, ribs, spine and clavicles. Experimentally measured epicardial potentials were used for the electrical source and solutions were computed using the finite element (FE) method. Simulations were performed varying the conductivities assigned to the different structures in the model including anisotropic configurations of the skeletal muscle. Results showed the anisotropic skeletal muscle had a significant impact on the distribution of electrocardiographic fields with an average of 13% percent difference front the homogeneous isotropic case
Keywords :
Laplace equations; Maxwell equations; electrocardiography; finite element analysis; medical signal processing; muscle; physiological models; Utah Torso model; anisotropic configurations; anisotropies; cardiac chambers; clavicles; conductivities; electrical source; electrocardiographic fields; epicardial fatpads; epicardial potentials; forward electrocardiographic field problem; geometry; homogeneous isotropic case; inhomogeneities; major arteries; ribs; skeletal muscle; spine; sternum; three-dimensional finite element study; veins; Anisotropic magnetoresistance; Arteries; Finite element methods; Geometry; Muscles; Nonuniform electric fields; Solid modeling; Sternum; Torso; Veins;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 1995., IEEE 17th Annual Conference
Conference_Location :
Montreal, Que.
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-2475-7
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.1995.575086