Homogenization modeling for the mechanics of perfused myocardium

Altered coronary perfusion can change the apparent diastolic stiffness of ventricular myocardium--the ‘garden hose’ effect. Our recent findings showed that myocardial strains are reduced during ventricular filling, primarily along the directions transverse to the coronary microvessels. In this article, we review hypotheses and theoretical models regarding the role that regional wall stress plays in the mechanical interaction between myocardium and coronary circulation. Various mechanisms have been used to explain the effects of the tissue stress on coronary flow, as well as the effect of coronary dynamics on myocardial mechanics. Many models of coronary pressure-flow relations using lumped parameter circuit analogs. Poroelasticity and swelling theories have been used to model the mechanics of perfused muscle. Here, we describe a new mathematical model of the mechanics of perfused myocardium derived using homogenization theory. In this model, perfused myocardium is treated as a nonlinear anisotropic elastic solid embedded with cylindrical vessels of known distensibility. The solid compartment is incompressible but the vascular compartment may change volume according to a simple relation between vessel diameter and perfusion pressure. The work done by the perfusion pressure in changing vascular volume contributes to the macroscopic strain energy and hence affects the stress and stiffness of the composite. Conversely, the stress in the tissue affects microvessel diameter and volume, since tractions transverse to the vessel axis oppose the internal blood pressure. Finite element simulations of passive filling show good agreement of model with experimental results.