Biomechanics of early cardiac development

Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2012 Nov;11(8):1187-204. doi: 10.1007/s10237-012-0414-7. Epub 2012 Jul 4.

Abstract

Biomechanics affect early cardiac development, from looping to the development of chambers and valves. Hemodynamic forces are essential for proper cardiac development, and their disruption leads to congenital heart defects. A wealth of information already exists on early cardiac adaptations to hemodynamic loading, and new technologies, including high-resolution imaging modalities and computational modeling, are enabling a more thorough understanding of relationships between hemodynamics and cardiac development. Imaging and modeling approaches, used in combination with biological data on cell behavior and adaptation, are paving the road for new discoveries on links between biomechanics and biology and their effect on cardiac development and fetal programming.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Computer Simulation
  • Embryonic Development / physiology*
  • Extracellular Matrix / physiology*
  • Heart / embryology*
  • Heart / growth & development*
  • Humans
  • Mechanotransduction, Cellular / physiology*
  • Models, Biological*
  • Stress, Mechanical