Closed-Loop Lumped Parameter Cardiovascular Model of Infarct Border Zone Pacing

The border zone (BZ) region has been classified as a unique form of dysfunctional myocardium adjacent to an infarct that is normally perfused but has an abnormal systolic strain pattern (1). This abnormal strain has been theorized to result in a proliferation of the hypocontractility region to extend to involve progressively more normally functioning myocardium, resulting in ventricular dilatation and heart failure (2,3). It has been theorized that contracting the BZ prior to the remote myocardium can normalize strain distribution, which could improve cardiac function and mitigate remodeling. This study developed a closed-loop lumped parameter cardiovascular model to evaluate the effect of BZ pacing on cardiovascular hemodynamics and function.