Excito-oscillatory dynamics as a mechanism of ventricular fibrillation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The instabilities associated with reentrant spiral waves are of paramount importance to the initiation and maintenance of tachyarrhythmias, especially ventricular fibrillation (VF). In addition to tissue heterogeneities, there are only a few basic purported mechanisms of spiral wave breakup, most notably restitution.

Objective

We test the hypothesis that oscillatory membrane properties act to destabilize spiral waves.

Methods

We recorded transmembrane potential (V(m)) from isolated rabbit myocytes using a constant current stimulation protocol. We developed a mathematical model that included both the stable excitable equilibrium point at resting V(m) (-80 mV) and the unstable oscillatory equilibrium point at elevated V(m) (-10 mV). Spiral wave dynamics were

SUBMITTER: Gray RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2362505 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature