The fractal heart — embracing mathematics in the cardiology clinic

• Published in: Nature reviews cardiology Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 56 - 64
• Main Authors: Captur, Gabriella, Karperien, Audrey L., Hughes, Alun D., Francis, Darrel P., Moon, James C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.01.2017; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/308; 692/4019/592/75; Cardiac Imaging; Cardiac Imaging Techniques - methods; Cardiac Surgery; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Fractals; Hemodynamics - physiology; Humans; Medicine & Public Health; Myocardium - pathology; opinion-2
• ISSN: 1759-5002; 1759-5010
• DOI: 10.1038/nrcardio.2016.161

In this Perspectives article, Captur et al . explain the fundamental principles of fractal geometry, and summarize cardiovascular studies in which fractal methods have been used to investigate disease mechanisms. The authors propose that clinical researchers can deploy innovative fractal solutions to common cardiac problems, which might ultimately translate into advancements in patient care. For clinicians grappling with quantifying the complex spatial and temporal patterns of cardiac structure and function (such as myocardial trabeculae, coronary microvascular anatomy, tissue perfusion, myocyte histology, electrical conduction, heart rate, and blood-pressure variability), fractal analysis is a powerful, but still underused, mathematical tool. In this Perspectives article, we explain some fundamental principles of fractal geometry and place it in a familiar medical setting. We summarize studies in the cardiovascular sciences in which fractal methods have successfully been used to investigate disease mechanisms, and suggest potential future clinical roles in cardiac imaging and time series measurements. We believe that clinical researchers can deploy innovative fractal solutions to common cardiac problems that might ultimately translate into advancements for patient care.