Multistability of reentrant rhythms in an ionic model of a two-dimensional annulus of cardiac tissue

Abstract

The dynamics of reentry in a model of a two-dimensional annulus of homogeneous cardiac tissue, with a Beeler-Reuter type formulation of the membrane ionic currents, is examined. The bifurcation structure of the sustained propagated solutions is described as a function of Rin and Rout, the inner and outer radii of the annulus. The transition from periodic to quasiperiodic reentry occurs at a critical Rin, which first diminishes and then saturates as Rout is increased. The reduction of the critical Rin is a consequence of the increase of the wave-front curvature. There is a range of Rin below the critical radius in which two distinct quasiperiodic solutions coexist. Each of these solutions disappears at its own specific value of Rin, and their annihilation is preceded by a new type of bifurcation leading to a regime of propagation with transient successive detachments of the wave front from the inner border of the annulus.