Fluid dynamics of hearts at risk of failure: towards methods for the prediction of disease progression

PRIN 2017

Ambiti: Acque

Abstract

The economic and social costs associated to cardiovascular diseases are growing at a worrisome pace because of the population ageing and the adverse effects of unhealthy lifestyles. These factors are unfortunately overcoming the progresses of medical research. Innovative tools for improving diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities are thus needed to revert this unfavorable trend.

This project integrates engineering methods to the clinical practice for developing predictive models of cardiovascular disease progression or therapeutic outcome. Six research units (RUs) with synergistic and complementary skills will use the state-of-the-art of computational, experimental and theoretical engineering methods to study three representative cardiovascular problems.

  1. Interaction of the mitral valve dynamics with the left ventricle flow.
  2. Interaction of the ascending aorta flow with the aortic valve dynamics.
  3. Interaction of the tricuspid valve dynamics with the right ventricle flow.

These physical phenomena are closely connected to physiology of valvular disease, cardiac ischemia and heart failure that are the causes of death worldwide. The project also involves cardiologists, cardiac surgeons and Hospitals to blend medical and engineering research.

Durata del progetto

2019-2022

Responsabile scientifico

Prof. Valentina Ciriello

Responsabile scientifico per il Dipartimento

Prof. Valentina Ciriello

Altri dipartimenti coinvolti

Dipartimento di Medicina Specialistica, Diagnostica e Sperimentale

Responsabile Nazionale

Prof. Roberto Verzicco, Università degli Studi di ROMA "Tor Vergata"

Partnership

  • Università degli Studi di ROMA "Tor Vergata" (Coordinatore)
  • Università degli Studi di BOLOGNA
  • Università degli Studi di CAGLIARI
  • Università degli Studi di TRIESTE
  • Università degli Studi di FIRENZE
  • Università degli Studi di ROMA "La Sapienza"

Finanziamento

Euro 685.050 (contributo MIUR)