Impact of Material Anisotropy on Deformation of Myocardial Tissue due to Pacemaker Electrodes Available to Purchase

A Pacemaker electrode can penetrate the heart wall, and to design a penetration-resistent lead tip sound knowledge regarding failure of ventricular tissue is required. Numerical simulations can be particular helpful in that respect, but depend on a reliable constitutive description for ventricular tissue. In this study an anisotropic hyperelastic model for the myocardium has been implemented and compared to predictions from an isotropic description. Specifically, the response due to pushing a rigid punch into the myocardium was studied. Results between anisotropic and isotropic descriptions of the myocardium differed significantly, which justified the implementation of an anisotropic model for the myocardium.