Multiscale cardiovascular modeling approach to assess arterial perfusion during atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common tach- yarrhythmia, causing faster and irregular beating, as well as inhibiting the normal cardiac contractile function. We aim to develop a stochastic multiscale modeling of the cardiovascular system to investigate the AF impact on the arterial perfusion along the aorta. The contractility reduction and the irregular beating induce a high variability of the beat-averaged values of flow rate and pressure, as well as a reduction of the mean arterial perfusion that worsens from proximal to distal circulation. Present results can contribute explaining hemodynamic mechanisms underlying the augmented ischemic risk induced by AF in the mesenteric and renal vascular regions.