False tendons (FTs) are fibrous or fibromuscular bands that can be found in both the normal and abnormal @entity1 heart in various anatomical forms depending on their attachment points, tissue types, and geometrical properties. While FTs are widely considered to affect the function of the heart, their specific roles remain largely unclear and unexplored. In this paper, we present an in silico study of the ventricular activation time of the @entity1 heart in the presence of FTs. This study presents the first computational model of the @entity1 heart that includes a FT, Purkinje network, and papillary muscles. Based on this model, we perform simulations to investigate the effect of different types of FTs on hearts with the electrical conduction abnormality of a @entity714 ( @entity714 ). We employ a virtual population of 70 @entity1 hearts derived from a statistical atlas, and run a total of 560 simulations to assess ventricular activation time with different FT configurations. The obtained results indicate that, in the presence of a @entity714 , the FT reduces the total activation time that is abnormally augmented due to a @entity5036 , to such an extent that surgical implant of cardiac resynchronisation devices might not be recommended by international guidelines. Specifically, the simulation results show that FTs reduce the QRS duration at least 10 ms in 80% of hearts, and up to 45 ms for FTs connecting to the ventricular free wall, suggesting a significant reduction of cardiovascular mortality risk. In further simulation studies we show the reduction in the QRS duration is more sensitive to the shape of the heart then the size of the heart or the exact location of the FT. Finally, the model suggests that FTs may contribute to reducing the activation time difference between the left and right ventricles from 12 ms to 4 ms. We conclude that FTs may provide an alternative conduction pathway that compensates for the propagation delay caused by the @entity714 . Further investigation is needed to quantify the clinical impact of FTs on cardiovascular mortality risk.

Protective Role of False Tendon in Subjects with XXXX : A Virtual Population Study.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['human'] @entity5036 :: ('OMIM:113900', 'Disease') :: ['branch block'] @entity714 :: ('MESH:D002037', 'Disease') :: ['left bundle branch block', 'LBBB']
@entity714 :: (MESH:D002037,Disease) :: ['Left Bundle Branch Block']
