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This book constitutes the thoroughly refereed post-workshop proceedings of the 7th International Workshop on Statistical Atlases and Computational Models of the Heart: Imaging and Modelling Challenges. 7th International Workshop, STACOM 2016, Held in conjunction with MICCAI 2016, Athens, Greece, October 17, 2016, Revised Selected papers The 24 revised full workshop papers were carefully reviewed and selected from 32 submissions. The papers cover a wide range of topics such as cardiac image processing; atlas construction, statistical modelling of cardiac function across different patient populations; cardiac mapping, cardiac computational physiology; model customization; image-based modelling and image-guided interventional procedures; atlas based functional analysis, ontological schemata for data and results; integrated functional and structural analyses; pre-clinical and clinical applicability of the methods described.

Myocardial tissue engineering (MTE), a concept that intends to prolong patients'life after cardiac damage by supporting or restoring heart function, is continuously improving. Common MTE strategies include an engineered ‘vehicle', which may be a porous scaffold or a dense substrate or patch, made of either natural or synthetic polymeric materials. The function of the substrate is to aid transportation of cells into the diseased region of the heart and support their integration. This book, which contains chapters written by leading experts in MTE, gives a complete analysis of the area and presents the latest advances in the field. The chapters cover all relevant aspects of MTE strategies, including cell sources, specific TE techniques and biomaterials used. Many different cell types have been suggested for cell therapy in the framework of MTE, including autologous bone marrow-derived or cardiac progenitors, as well as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, each having their particular advantages and disadvantages. The book covers a complete range of biomaterials, examining different aspects of their application in MTE, such as biocompatibility with cardiac cells, mechanical capability and compatibility with the mechanical properties of the native myocardium as well as degradation behaviour in vivo and in vitro. Although a great deal of research is being carried out in the field, this book also addresses many questions that still remain unanswered and highlights those areas in which further research efforts are required. The book will also give an insight into clinical trials and possible novel cell sources for cell therapy in MTE.