An efficient end-to-end computational framework for the generation of ECG calibrated volumetric models of human atrial electrophysiology

Computational models of atrial electrophysiology (EP) are increasingly utilized for applications such as the development of advanced mapping systems, personalized clinical therapy planning, and the generation of virtual cohorts and digital twins. These models have the potential to establish robust causal links between simulated in silico behaviors and observed human atrial EP, enabling safer, cost-effective, and comprehensive exploration of atrial dynamics. However, current state-of-the-art approaches lack the fidelity and scalability required for regulatory-grade applications, particularly in creating high-quality virtual cohorts or patient-specific digital twins. Challenges include anatomically accurate model generation, calibration to sparse and uncertain clinical data, and computational efficiency within a streamlined workflow. This study addresses these limitations by introducing novel methodologies integrated into an automated end-to-end workflow for generating high-fidelity digital twin snapshots and virtual cohorts of atrial EP. These innovations include: (i) automated multi-scale generation of volumetric biatrial models with detailed anatomical structures and fiber architecture; (ii) a robust method for defining space-varying atrial parameter fields; (iii) a parametric approach for modeling inter-atrial conduction pathways; and (iv) an efficient forward EP model for high-fidelity electrocardiogram computation. We evaluated this workflow on a cohort of 50 atrial fibrillation patients, producing high-quality meshes suitable for reaction-eikonal and reaction-diffusion models and demonstrating the ability to simulate atrial ECGs under parametrically controlled conditions. These advancements represent a critical step toward scalable, precise, and clinically applicable digital twin models and virtual cohorts, enabling enhanced patient-specific predictions and therapeutic planning.

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Publication Details

Journal
Medical Image Analysis
Published
2025-10-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.media.2025.103822
Citations
2
Primary Topic
Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
2.78
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article

An efficient end-to-end computational framework for the generation of ECG calibrated volumetric models of human atrial electrophysiology

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2 citations
Medical Image Analysis
Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
2.78
article

An efficient end-to-end computational framework for the generation of ECG calibrated volumetric models of human atrial electrophysiology

Martin Manninger, Gernot Plank, Aurel Neic, Franz Thaler, Karli Gillette, Christoph M. Augustin, Matthias A. F. Gsell, Martin Urschler, Douglas S. Scherr, Luca Azzolin, Edward J. Vigmond, Anton J. Prassl, Robert Arnold, Elena Zappon, Mohammadreza Kariman
article en
2 citations

Abstract

Computational models of atrial electrophysiology (EP) are increasingly utilized for applications such as the development of advanced mapping systems, personalized clinical therapy planning, and the generation of virtual cohorts and digital twins. These models have the potential to establish robust causal links between simulated in silico behaviors and observed human atrial EP, enabling safer, cost-effective, and comprehensive exploration of atrial dynamics. However, current state-of-the-art approaches lack the fidelity and scalability required for regulatory-grade applications, particularly in creating high-quality virtual cohorts or patient-specific digital twins. Challenges include anatomically accurate model generation, calibration to sparse and uncertain clinical data, and computational efficiency within a streamlined workflow. This study addresses these limitations by introducing novel methodologies integrated into an automated end-to-end workflow for generating high-fidelity digital twin snapshots and virtual cohorts of atrial EP. These innovations include: (i) automated multi-scale generation of volumetric biatrial models with detailed anatomical structures and fiber architecture; (ii) a robust method for defining space-varying atrial parameter fields; (iii) a parametric approach for modeling inter-atrial conduction pathways; and (iv) an efficient forward EP model for high-fidelity electrocardiogram computation. We evaluated this workflow on a cohort of 50 atrial fibrillation patients, producing high-quality meshes suitable for reaction-eikonal and reaction-diffusion models and demonstrating the ability to simulate atrial ECGs under parametrically controlled conditions. These advancements represent a critical step toward scalable, precise, and clinically applicable digital twin models and virtual cohorts, enabling enhanced patient-specific predictions and therapeutic planning.

Medical Image AnalysisVol. 107(Pt B)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Université de Bordeaux (FR), Medical University of Graz (AT), Graz University of Technology (AT), BioTechMed-Graz (AT)
Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
2.78
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