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Zhang D, Lindsey SE. Recasting Current Knowledge of Human Fetal Circulation: The Importance of Computational Models. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:240. [PMID: 37367405 PMCID: PMC10299027 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10060240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Computational hemodynamic simulations are becoming increasingly important for cardiovascular research and clinical practice, yet incorporating numerical simulations of human fetal circulation is relatively underutilized and underdeveloped. The fetus possesses unique vascular shunts to appropriately distribute oxygen and nutrients acquired from the placenta, adding complexity and adaptability to blood flow patterns within the fetal vascular network. Perturbations to fetal circulation compromise fetal growth and trigger the abnormal cardiovascular remodeling that underlies congenital heart defects. Computational modeling can be used to elucidate complex blood flow patterns in the fetal circulatory system for normal versus abnormal development. We present an overview of fetal cardiovascular physiology and its evolution from being investigated with invasive experiments and primitive imaging techniques to advanced imaging (4D MRI and ultrasound) and computational modeling. We introduce the theoretical backgrounds of both lumped-parameter networks and three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic simulations of the cardiovascular system. We subsequently summarize existing modeling studies of human fetal circulation along with their limitations and challenges. Finally, we highlight opportunities for improved fetal circulation models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie E. Lindsey
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093, USA;
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van Willigen BG, van der Hout-van der Jagt MB, Huberts W, van de Vosse FN. A review study of fetal circulatory models to develop a digital twin of a fetus in a perinatal life support system. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:915846. [PMID: 36210952 PMCID: PMC9532745 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.915846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm birth is the main cause of neonatal deaths with increasing mortality and morbidity rates with decreasing GA at time of birth. Currently, premature infants are treated in neonatal intensive care units to support further development. However, the organs of, especially, extremely premature infants (born before 28 weeks of GA) are not mature enough to function optimally outside the womb. This is seen as the main cause of the high morbidity and mortality rates in this group. A liquid-filled incubator, a so-called PLS system, could potentially improve these numbers for extremely premature infants, since this system is designed to mimic the environment of the natural womb. To support the development and implementation of such a complex system and to interpret vital signals of the fetus during a PLS system operation, a digital twin is proposed. This mathematical model is connected with a manikin representing the digital and physical twin of the real-life PLS system. Before developing a digital twin of a fetus in a PLS system, its functional and technical requirements are defined and existing mathematical models are evaluated. METHOD AND RESULTS This review summarizes existing 0D and 1D fetal circulatory models that potentially could be (partly) adopted for integration in a digital twin of a fetus in a PLS system based on predefined requirements. The 0D models typically describe hemodynamics and/or oxygen transport during specific events, such as the transition from fetus to neonate. Furthermore, these models can be used to find hemodynamic differences between healthy and pathological physiological states. Rather than giving a global description of an entire cardiovascular system, some studies focus on specific organs or vessels. In order to analyze pressure and flow wave profiles in the cardiovascular system, transmission line or 1D models are used. As for now, these models do not include oxygen transport. CONCLUSION This study shows that none of the models identified in literature meet all the requirements relevant for a digital twin of a fetus in a PLS system. Nevertheless, it does show the potential to develop this digital twin by integrating (parts) of models into a single model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettine G van Willigen
- Cardiovascular Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.,Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, Netherlands
| | - M Beatrijs van der Hout-van der Jagt
- Cardiovascular Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.,Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Máxima Medical Centre, Veldhoven, Netherlands.,Signal Processing Systems, Electrical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Huberts
- Cardiovascular Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Frans N van de Vosse
- Cardiovascular Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands
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Bar J, Weiner E, Levy M, Gilboa Y. The thrifty phenotype hypothesis: The association between ultrasound and Doppler studies in fetal growth restriction and the development of adult disease. Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM 2021; 3:100473. [PMID: 34481995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2021.100473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Barker pioneered the idea that the epidemic of coronary heart disease in Western countries in the 20th century, which paradoxically coincided with improved standards of living and nutrition, has its origin in fetal life. Indeed, there is substantial evidence associating low birthweight because of fetal growth restriction with an increased risk of vascular disease in later adult life. These conclusions led to the second part of the Barker hypothesis, the thrifty phenotype, in which adaptation to undernutrition in fetal life leads to permanent metabolic and endocrine changes. Such changes are beneficial if the undernutrition persists after birth but may predispose the individual to obesity and impaired glucose tolerance if conditions improve. The hypothesis assumes that a poor nutrient supply during a critical period of in utero life may "program" a permanent structural or functional change in the fetus, thereby altering the distribution of cell types, gene expression, or both. The fetus, in response to placental undernutrition and to maintain sufficient vascular supply to the brain, decreases resistance to blood flow in the middle cerebral artery. Simultaneously, because of the limited blood supply to the fetus, the arterial redistribution process is accompanied by increased resistance to flow to other fetal vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, liver, and pancreas. It may explain why individuals exposed to ischemic changes in utero develop dyslipidemia, lower nephron number, and impaired glucose tolerance, all factors contributing to metabolic syndrome later in life. Nevertheless, support for the hypotheses comes mainly from studies in rodents and retrospective epidemiologic studies. This review focused on ultrasound and Doppler studies of human fetal growth restriction in several fetal organs: the placenta, fetal circulation, brain, heart, kidneys, adrenal glands, liver, and pancreas. Support for the hypothesis was provided by animal studies involving conditions that create fetuses with growth restriction with effects on various fetal organs and by human studies that correlate impaired fetal circulation with the in utero development and function of fetal organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Bar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel (Dr. Bar, Dr Weiner, and Dr. Levy); Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Dr. Bar, Dr. Weiner, Dr. Levy, and Dr. Gilboa)
| | - Eran Weiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel (Dr. Bar, Dr Weiner, and Dr. Levy); Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Dr. Bar, Dr. Weiner, Dr. Levy, and Dr. Gilboa).
| | - Michal Levy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel (Dr. Bar, Dr Weiner, and Dr. Levy)
| | - Yinon Gilboa
- Ultrasound Unit, Helen Schneider Comprehensive Women's Health Center, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva, Israel (Dr. Gilboa); Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel (Dr. Bar, Dr. Weiner, Dr. Levy, and Dr. Gilboa)
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Patient-specific estimates of vascular and placental properties in growth-restricted fetuses based on a model of the fetal circulation. Placenta 2015; 36:981-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2015.07.130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2015] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Pekkan K, Keller BB. Guest Editorial: Special Issue on Fetal Hemodynamics : Developmental Fetal Cardiovascular Biomechanics in the 21st Century: Another Tipping Point. Cardiovasc Eng Technol 2013; 4:231-233. [PMID: 29637505 DOI: 10.1007/s13239-013-0152-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kerem Pekkan
- Pediatric Cardiovascular Fluid Mechanics Laboratory, Carnegie Mellon University, 700 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA. .,Mechanical Engineering Department, Koç University, Rumeli feneri Yolu, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey.
| | - Bradley B Keller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Louisville, 302 East Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
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