Modeling and simulation of the cardiac electrical field for understanding its manifestation in ECG signals in some cardiac disorders

PhD study program: Measurement Technology
Academic year: 2024-2025
Advisor: Ing. Jana Švehlíková, PhD. (jana.svehlikova@savba.sk)
External educational institution: Institute of Measurement Science SAS
Accepting university: Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava, Institute of Electrical Engineering

Annotation:

Every mechanical contraction of the myocardium at each heartbeat is a consequence of so-called action potential propagation in the whole myocardium. At present, this electrical activity is recorded during a generally known ECG examination, which is the first choice and the most performed cardiac examination. The main topic of the dissertation thesis will be a modeling and simulation of the cardiac electric field using a computer model of cardiac ventricles and torso with realistic geometry obtained from CT scan. Modeling of properties of ventricles’ myocardium leading to some pathologies such as hypertrophy, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure. Simulation of activation propagation in the ventricles and computing of a corresponding ECG signal on the torso. Analysis of the ECG changes in dependence on pathological changes in electrical activation propagation in the ventricles. Comparison of the obtained results with realistic ECG measurements on the patients.

The topic will be covered/conducted in the Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.

The applicant is expected to have knowledge of the theory of electromagnetic fields, a positive attitude to mathematics/physics, and the ability to do Matlab programming. Knowledge of professional English and the ability to work with electronic information resources is required. During the study, the Ph.D. student will extend his knowledge of biomeasurements, medical imaging methods, and numerical solving of electromagnetic fields and gain experience in evaluating simulation experiments and interpreting ECG signals.

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/227366