Conduction block and chaotic dynamics in an asymmetrical model of coupled cardiac cells

Journal of Theoretical Biology
M Landau, P Lorente

Abstract

The initiation and propagation of the cardiac impulse depends on intrinsic properties of cells, geometrical arrangements, and intercellular coupling resistances. To address the issue of the interplay between these factors in a simple way, we have used a system, based on the van Capelle and Dürrer model, including a pacemaker and a non-pacemaker cell linked by an ohmic coupling resistance. The influence of asymmetrical cell sizes and electronic load was investigated by using numerical simulations and continuation-bifurcation techniques. The loading of a small pacemaker cell by a large non-pacemaker one (pacemaker: non-pacemaker size ratio = 0.3) was expressed as a pronounced early repolarization in the pacemaker cell and a quite long latency for the impulse propagation. Using coupling resistance as the continuation parameter, three behavioral zones were detected from low to high coupling resistance values: a zone of total quiescence (0:0), a zone of effective entertainment (1:1), and a zone of total block (1:0 pattern). At the boundary between 1:1 and 1:0 patterns, for relatively high coupling resistance values, a cascade of period doubling bifurcations emerged, corresponding to discrete changes of propagation patterns leading i...Continue Reading

Citations

Feb 22, 2005·Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology·Suhua WuShien-Fong Lin
Jan 6, 2004·American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology·Chikaya OmichiJames N Weiss
Aug 16, 2003·American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology·Yasutaka KurataToshishige Shibamoto

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