Simulation of cardiac excitation patterns in a three-dimensional anatomical heart atlas

Computerized anatomical atlas systems enable interactive investigation of d igital body models. Here we present a three-dimensional atlas of the human heart, based on image data provided in the Visible Human Project. This hear t atlas consists of multiple kinds of cardiac tissues and offers unlimited possibilities for its visual exploration. A temporal dimension is added to the underlying heart model by simulation of cardiac excitation spreading. F or this purpose a second generation cellular automata algorithm is adapted to the excitation kinetics of cardiac tissue. The presented system is shown as a successful method for the visualization-based Investigation of cardia c excitation. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.