Vortex shedding as a precursor of turbulent electrical activity in cardiac muscle.

TitleVortex shedding as a precursor of turbulent electrical activity in cardiac muscle.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1996
AuthorsCabo, C, Pertsov, AV, Davidenko, JM, Baxter, B, Gray, RA, Jalife, J
JournalBiophys J
Volume70
Issue3
Pagination1105-11
Date Published03/1996
ISSN0006-3495
KeywordsAnimals, Biophysical Phenomena, Biophysics, Cell Membrane, Computer Simulation, Electric Stimulation, Electrochemistry, Electrophysiology, Heart, Models, Cardiovascular, Myocardial Contraction, Myocardium, Sheep, Sodium Channels
Abstract

In cardiac tissue, during partial blockade of the membrane sodium channels, or at high frequencies of excitation, inexcitable obstacles with sharp edges may destabilize the propagation of electrical excitation waves, causing the formation of self-sustained vortices and turbulent cardiac electrical activity. The formation of such vortices, which visually resembles vortex shedding in hydrodynamic turbulent flows, was observed in sheep epicardial tissue using voltage-sensitive dyes in combination with video-imaging techniques. Vortex shedding is a potential mechanism leading to the spontaneous initiation of uncontrolled high-frequency excitation of the heart.

URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8785270
DOI10.1016/S0006-3495(96)79691-1
Alternate JournalBiophys. J.
PubMed ID8785270

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