Abstract

To model electrical or mechanical function in a normal or diseased heart, or to use models to interpret complex experimental data, it is necessary to incorporate an appropriate description of myocardial structure for the relevant state. Myocardial function, both normal and abnormal, is dependent on myocardial structure at different levels of scaling, from whole organ to subcellular. Furthermore, both normal function and pathological change vary regionally. When considering models of cardiac structure and function, it is therefore necessary to develop appropriately detailed descriptions of myocardial structure and function with these criteria in mind. We are investigating several animal models of cardiac pathology, and have developed techniques to describe both structure and function throughout appropriate regions of the heart, and at a scales matched to the particular functional analysis required.