Interpretation of epicardial mapping by means of computer simulations: Applications to calcium, lidocaine and to BRL 34915

The aim of this work was to compare experimental investigations on effects of lidocaine, calcium and, BRL 34915 on reentries to simulated data obtained by use of a model of propagation based on the Huygens' construction method already described in previous works. Calcium and lidocaine effects are investigated on anisotropic conduction conditions. In both cases, reduction in conduction velocities are observed. In lidocaine case, a refractory area is located along the longitudinal axis. In agreement with experimental electrical mapping, the simulations show that the stabilization of reentrant excitation is mainly due to the existence of this refractory area around which the reentrant circuit …

Effect of local ischemia on induction of cardiac reentries

In this paper, we study the effects of local ischemia on the process of triggering of reentry mechanism. We present computer simulations based on a cellular automata model of the propagation of the depolarizing wave through a ventricular surface element. We simulate a local area of ischemia where effects of refractory period dispersion are investigated. We use a gaussian distribution of the refractory periods characterized by a mean value and a standard deviation. These simulations show that there exist critical conditions necessary to initiate a reentry mechanism invading progressively the whole ventricle.

Comparison Between Influence Of The Conduction Velocity And the Refractory Period Variations On The Reentry Mechanism