The goal of the Willerson Center for Cardiovascular Modeling and Simulation (WCCMS) is to develop computational biomechanical models for understanding heart valve and heart disease progression for developing clinical interventions, including prosthetic devices.
The center develops and uses a range of unique in vivo and in vitro data for elucidating mechanisms that underlie the observed pathologies. The modeling focus is the detailed incorporation of this data to provide a high level of physical and physiological realism and validation, working at the continuum-cellular, fibrous-tissue and whole-organ levels.
The WCCMS ultimately seeks to provide cardiovascular scientists and clinicians with advanced simulations for the rational development of treatments for structural heart and heart valve diseases. Such simulations can ultimately lead to reduction in development time, lowering of morbidity and mortality, reduced re-operative rates and lessened post-operative recovery time.
The development and use of these tools in the context of patient-specific models will ultimately also allow clinicians to craft therapies that are optimized for the cardiovascular system of individuals, with a resulting increase in success and decrease in risk-adverse side effects.
Types of Research
- Advanced modeling and simulation technologies for cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons
- Valve function modeling
- Computational platforms to evaluate and predict effects of myocardial infarction on cardiac function impairment
- Modeling and simulation of engineered valvular and pulmonary artery tissues for surgical replacement
