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For a satisfactory computer simulation, a model, which imitates a natural situation, is needed. The Human heart is an irregular 3D object and thus difficult to reproduce. Basic data was taken from Visible Human Dataset (VHD), National Library of Medicine. The heart area was cut out of the original cross-sections and different tissues segmented. All the slices also had to be aligned to assure precise overlapping of the structures. A 3D computer heart model with the resolution of 1mm was designed. The heart model was dedicated to simulations of heat transfer during heart surgery however, it is applicable also to other medical simulations.

Topical cardiac cooling (TC) is often used in cardiac surgery. We used a computer simulation to study temperature changes in the heart, especially in the right ventricular wall. A three-dimensional computer heart model, derived from Visible Human Data set, National Library of Medicine was used. The model is made from cubes, with spatial resolution of 1mm. Explicit Finite Different method and temperature diffusion equation were used to calculate new temperatures. Three different simulations were performed and simulated temperatures were drawn on a cross-section of heart model in different colors. The results show that areas not immersed into TC solution are less protected against ischemia. It is important not to rely solely on topical cooling but use appropriate method of myocardial protection technique.