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Review
. 2024 Dec;26(12):1393-1403.
doi: 10.1007/s11886-024-02136-0. Epub 2024 Sep 20.

Computational Medicine: What Electrophysiologists Should Know to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Matthew J Magoon  1 , Babak Nazer  1   2 , Nazem Akoum  1   2 , Patrick M Boyle  3
Affiliations
Review

Computational Medicine: What Electrophysiologists Should Know to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Matthew J Magoon et al. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Technology drives the field of cardiac electrophysiology. Recent computational advances will bring exciting changes. To stay ahead of the curve, we recommend electrophysiologists develop a robust appreciation for novel computational techniques, including deterministic, statistical, and hybrid models.

Recent findings: In clinical applications, deterministic models use biophysically detailed simulations to offer patient-specific insights. Statistical techniques like machine learning and artificial intelligence recognize patterns in data. Emerging clinical tools are exploring avenues to combine all the above methodologies. We review three ways that computational medicine will aid electrophysiologists by: (1) improving personalized risk assessments, (2) weighing treatment options, and (3) guiding ablation procedures. Leveraging clinical data that are often readily available, computational models will offer valuable insights to improve arrhythmia patient care. As emerging tools promote personalized medicine, physicians must continue to critically evaluate technology-driven tools they consider using to ensure their appropriate implementation.

Keywords: Arrhythmias; Cardiac electrophysiology; Computational medicine; Computational modeling; Machine learning; Precision medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent: All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines). Competing Interests: Mr. Magoon has nothing to report. Dr. Nazer reports advisory board roles and consulting work for Biosense-Webster, advisory board roles, consulting work, and investigator-initiated Research for Siemens, and consulting for Edwards LifeSciences. Dr. Akoum reports grants from the National Institutes of Health and the John L. Locke Charitable Trust Fund, during the conduct of the study. Dr. Boyle reports grants from the National Institutes of Health, the UW Institute of Translational Health Science, and the Catherine Holmes Wilkins Charitable Foundation, during the conduct of the study; in addition, Dr. Boyle is listed on relevant US Patent Nos. 11,278,247, 10,842,401, and 10,687,898, all of which are assigned to the Johns Hopkins University.

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