Scroll wave dynamics in a model of the heterogeneous heart

• Published in: JETP letters Vol. 104; no. 2; pp. 130 - 134
• Main Authors: Konovalov, P. V., Pravdin, S. F., Solovyova, O. E., Panfilov, A. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Moscow Pleiades Publishing 01-07-2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Atomic; Biological and Medical Physics; Biophysics; Dynamics; Heterogeneity; Mathematical models; Molecular; Myocardium; Optical and Plasma Physics; Particle and Nuclear Physics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Quantum Information Technology; Shape effects; Solid State Physics; Spintronics
• ISSN: 0021-3640; 1090-6487
• DOI: 10.1134/S0021364016140034

Scroll waves are found in physical, chemical and biological systems and underlie many significant processes including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The theory of scroll waves predicts scroll wave dynamics should be substantially affected by heterogeneity of cardiac tissue together with other factors including shape and anisotropy. In this study, we used our recently developed analytical model of the human ventricle to identify effects of shape, anisotropy, and regional heterogeneity of myocardium on scroll wave dynamics. We found that the main effects of apical-base heterogeneity were an increased scroll wave drift velocity and a shift towards the region of maximum action potential duration. We also found that transmural heterogeneity does not substantially affect scroll wave dynamics and only in extreme cases changes the attractor position.