Work

Three-dimensional computer model of the heart: Fibrillation induced by extrastimulation

Year: 1989

Type: article

Abstract: We present a three-dimensional (3D) computer model that simulates electrical activity in the heart during fibrillation. A real dog heart is discretized to form 1473 interconnected cubic elements. The model exhibits normal activation and recovery from pacing. Five or more extrastimuli induce a self-sustaining tachyarrhythmia that soon degenerates into a fibrillatory rhythm. The extrastimuli increase the excitability of the myocardial cell population. The result is a rapid re-excitation of cells that allows for only a partial recovery of cell action potential. This suggests that a dispersion of refractory states of the cell population is the cause of fibrillation in this computer model.

Source: Computers and Biomedical Research

DOI: 10.1016/0010-4809(89)90073-6

Authors: Nitish V. Thakor, Lawrence N. Eisenman

Institutions: Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Language: English

Topic: Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias

Subfield: Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

OpenAlex ID: W2073034688

FWCI: 1.16

Cites: 18

Cited by: 26

Related to: 10