The impact of cardiac tissue anisotropy on spiral wave superseding: A simulation study using ionic cell models

Abstract

Several types of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, such as paroxysmal tachycardia and fibrillation, are linked with the spiral waves of electrical excitation in the heart muscle. In many cases, these diseases must be cured immediately after their diagnosis. Low-voltage defibrillation and cardioversion are modern treatment methods. Electrotherapy is based on spiral wave superseding by a high-frequency pacing from an electrode. In the present work, we study the influence of the anisotropic myocardial structure and cell-level model on cardioversion results. We use long line and point electrodes. Intervals of effective stimulation periods are determined and compared for two ionic cell-level models. Of all the considered factors, the cell-level model appears to play the greatest role in the results.