Modeling the effect of COVID-19 on the cardiac function: A computational study

43/2020

Modeling the effect of COVID-19 on the cardiac function: A computational study

Tuesday 23rd June 2020

Dede’, L.; Regazzoni, F.; Vergara, C.; Zunino, P.; Guglielmo, M.; Scrofani, R.; Fusini, L.;Cogliati, C.; Pontone, G.; Quarteroni, A.

Emerging studies address how COVID-19 infection can impact the cardiovascular system. This relates particularly to the development of myocardial injury, acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, arrhythmia, and heart failure. Prospective treatment approach is advised for these patients. To study the interplay between local changes (reduced contractility), global variables (peripheral resistances, heart rate) and the cardiac function, we considered a lumped parameters computational model of the cardiovascular system. Our mathematical model allows to simulate the systemic and pulmonary circulations, the four cardiac valves and the four heart chambers, through equations describing the underlying physical processes. By the assessment of conventionally relevant parameters of cardiac function obtained through our numerical simulations, we propose our computational model as an effective method to evaluate short-term prognosis both in patients with normal and impaired cardiac function at baseline affected by mild or severe COVID-19.