Simulating action potentials in cardiac cells in order to determine the link between...
Abstract
The formation of spiral waves, and so atrial fibrillation, has been shown to occur by the interaction of stimuli and ectopic beats in the pulmonary vein in a computer model. Models were made of cardiac cells and their action potentials to achieve this. These then formed the basis for two- and then three-dimensional models incorporating a cylindrical pulmonary vein. The models were stimulated from various points and the geometry modified to more closely resemble actual anatomy. The 3D model was used to simulate several excitation wave patterns within the atria: (1) propagation of normal periodic action potentials onto the pulmonary vein; (2) emergence of an ectopic wave source due to spontaneous action potential firing within the pulmonary vein; (3) interaction of re-entrant spiral waves with the pulmonary vein. Our 3D atrial tissue model provides mechanistic insights into the role of the PV in the genesis of AF, primarily conditions for the initiation of ectopic action potentials breaking down the normal periodic waves, and the development of a fibrillatory state.