A computer model of human ventricular myocardium for simulation of ECG, MCG, and activation sequence including reentry rhythms.

Abstract

A computer model is presented for simulation of the spread of activation and repolarization in ventricular myocardium. The program calculating the activation sequence is based on an algorithm similar to Huygen's principle of constructing wavefronts. Physiological parameters of the heart, such as areas of early activation on the endocardium, conduction velocity, anisotropy of propagation, duration of action potentials and refractory periods are taken into account. The time-course of ECG and MCG is calculated using the equations of the bidomain model. Simulation of pathologic cases of activation is performed through variation of the physiological heart parameters. The simulations presented here show good agreement of ECG and MCG with measurements in the normal case, the case of bundle branch block and abnormal repolarization. A special feature of the model is the possibility of simulating reentry rhythms following a premature stimulus in ventricular myocardium. Two kinds of reentry are simulated: reentry around an anatomical obstacle and the leading-circle model. The widespread capability for investigating not only ECG but also MCG and various kinds of pathologic activation patterns including reentry rhythms indicates that the model may be useful in studying numerous problems in cardiologic research.