Awarded in 2026
Home Department: Pediatrics - Cardiology
Faculty Advisor: Alison Marsden (Pediatrics - Cardiology and Bioengineering)

Title: Digital Twins for Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy Optimization in Single Ventricle Patients

Abstract:
Single ventricle anatomy is a congenital heart defect in which one of the heart’s pumping chambers does not fully develop. In addition to anatomical abnormalities, these patients often develop disruptions in the heart’s electrical activation, which cause the heart muscle to contract in an uncoordinated manner and reduce pumping efficiency. One treatment for these electrical disorders is cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), in which electrodes are placed on the heart to restore coordinated electrical activation and improve heart function. However, determining the best locations for these electrodes remains a major challenge. While clinical guidelines exist for patients with more typical heart anatomy, the large anatomical variability among single-ventricle patients makes a one-size-fits-all approach difficult.

To address this challenge, we aim to develop cardiac digital twins (CDTs), which are patient-specific computer models built from medical images and clinical recordings. These models use physics-based simulations to reproduce how electrical signals travel through an individual patient’s heart. By testing different electrode locations in the computer model, we aim to identify treatment strategies tailored to each patient.

Through our collaboration with Stanford Medicine, we have access to a unique dataset from patients undergoing CRT, including electrocardiographic imaging, a technique that provides more detailed measurements of the heart’s electrical activity than a standard electrocardiogram. By combining this comprehensive dataset with advanced modeling and data-driven techniques, we aim to establish a framework for developing CDTs that can optimize CRT treatment and support more personalized care for children with congenital heart disease.