A finite element computational framework coupling four-chamber heart mechanics with the systemic and pulmonary circulations

A finite element computational framework coupling four-chamber heart mechanics with the systemic and pulmonary circulations | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article A finite element computational framework coupling four-chamber heart mechanics with the systemic and pulmonary circulations Vahid Ziaei-Rad, Sandra Hager, Kenneth S. Campbell, Jonathan F. Wenk, and 1 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9204887/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 15 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract We present a computational four-chamber heart modeling framework that integrates a 3D finite element (FE) model of heart mechanics with a 0D model of the systemic and pulmonary circulations in a closed-loop system. The computational framework incorporates patient-specific geometry, rule-based myocardial fiber architecture, and nonlinear transversely isotropic tissue mechanics to simulate the full cardiac cycle. A bidirectional 3D--0D coupling strategy together with physiologic epicardial boundary conditions enables stable beat-to-beat simulations. Built on the open-source FEniCS platform with a residual-based stabilized mixed (P1--P1) FE formulation, the computational framework is able to produce pressure-volume loops of the four chambers and myocardial strain waveforms that are comparable to those measured in healthy humans. The framework is used to simulate inter-ventricular interactions arising from a reduction in contractility of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV). A reduction in LV contractility produces a 4.9% decrease in RV peak pressure whereas a reduction in RV contractility produces a 20% decrease in LV peak pressure. The framework sets the foundation for patient-specific whole-heart simulations of cardiovascular diseases and treatments in future work. Four-chamber heart model Patient-specific heart simulation Whole-heart modeling Digital twin cardiology Cardiac mechanics Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 19 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 12 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 05 May, 2026 Reviews received at journal 24 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 19 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 10 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 05 Apr, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 05 Apr, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 05 Apr, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 24 Mar, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 24 Mar, 2026 First submitted to journal 23 Mar, 2026 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9204887","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":619497475,"identity":"dde3b901-912f-4141-a23f-5caf10513433","order_by":0,"name":"Vahid Ziaei-Rad","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAwElEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACZiBOYGBg7EdwidUys4FoLVDAuOEAsVrk25kfPni4x05287XjzyQYKqwTGwia3sxmbJDwLNl42+0cMwmGM+mEtTAzM5hJJBxgTgRqYZNgbDtMWAsbM/v3HwkH6hM3z05/JsH4jwgtPMw8ZgwJBw4nbpBOMJNgbCBCiwQzTzHQYceNZ9zOMbZIOJZuTFCLfP/xjR9/HKiW7Z+d/vDGhxprWYJaUEECacpHwSgYBaNgFOACAFv9PKjTRH13AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","orcid":"","institution":"Michigan State University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Vahid","middleName":"","lastName":"Ziaei-Rad","suffix":""},{"id":619497476,"identity":"7d2e2108-07d7-4645-816b-8477e43cca5a","order_by":1,"name":"Sandra Hager","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Michigan State University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Sandra","middleName":"","lastName":"Hager","suffix":""},{"id":619497478,"identity":"7db81f0b-8d08-4c9d-9dfa-6f0e9da1dde4","order_by":2,"name":"Kenneth S. 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