Coronary Arteries and Heart

Abstract The coronary vasculature and heart structures undergo dramatic and frequent deformations. Since the coronary arteries are embedded in the myocardium, the complex three-dimensional structure and dynamics of the coronary tree and myocardium are intimately linked. The coronary arteries experience significant axial shortening, bending, twisting, and bifurcation angle deformation from diastole to systole, while the myocardium of the left ventricle experiences longitudinal shortening, radial thickening, and circumferential shortening. The presence of disease and implants can significantly impact the geometry and compliance of the native tissues, warranting disease- and device-specific investigations. Advances in medical imaging and quantification techniques have made deformation and strain measurements possible, which are critical for understanding the complex dynamic environment of the coronary arteries and heart structures.