Advancing biomedical engineering: An Agent-based approach to pulmonary edema simulation

Abstract

Agent-based modeling (ABM) offers a robust framework for simulating complex physiological systems, yet its application to pulmonary edema (PE) remains underexplored. This study presents an innovative ABM, built in NetLogo, to simulate cardiogenic PE (CPE) by modeling extravascular lung water dynamics under hydrostatic pressure (HP) and oncotic pressure (OP). Using a simplified Starling equation Q = k (HP - OP), the model defines a spatial environment (capillary, ACM, alveoli) with agents like water molecules and macromolecules. Parameter tweaks (e.g., HP increase) amplify edema, showcasing the model’s flexibility. Results position this ABM as a leap forward in biomedical engineering, bridging theoretical fluid dynamics with dynamic visualization. Clinically, it lays the groundwork for decision-support tools, predicting PE progression for integration with patient-specific data. Educationally, its interactive interface empowers students to grasp PE mechanisms, enhancing learning through simulation. Limitations - constant permeability, no oxygenation - suggest refinement opportunities, such as adding gas exchange or variable ACM properties for non-cardiogenic PE. This work builds on prior ABM efforts while addressing a gap in respiratory modeling, offering a scalable platform for research and application. Future validation and extensions could transform it into a cornerstone of computational medicine, merging engineering precision with clinical and educational impact. This study underscores ABM’s untapped potential in respiratory pathophysiology.