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The fractal heart — embracing mathematics in the cardiology clinic

Captur, G; Karperien, AL; Hughes, AD; Francis, DP; Moon, JC; (2017) The fractal heart — embracing mathematics in the cardiology clinic. Nature Reviews Cardiology , 14 (1) pp. 56-64. 10.1038/nrcardio.2016.161. Green open access

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Abstract

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.

Type: Article
Title: The fractal heart — embracing mathematics in the cardiology clinic
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1038/nrcardio.2016.161
Publisher version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2016.161
Language: English
Additional information: Copyright © 2016 Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature. All rights reserved. The final publication is available at Nature Reviews Cardiology via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrcardio.2016.161
Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Medical research
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Cardiovascular Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Cardiovascular Science > Clinical Science
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Cardiovascular Science > Population Science and Experimental Medicine
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Population Health Sciences > Institute of Cardiovascular Science > Population Science and Experimental Medicine > MRC Unit for Lifelong Hlth and Ageing
URI: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1521959
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