Received September 26, 2005
Revised November 25, 2005
Accepted after revision December 22, 2005
Heart/Cardiac Muscle [240]
|
Defibrillation of the Heart
Insights into Mechanisms from Modelling Studies
Natalia A Trayanova 1*
1 Tulane University
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: nataliat{at}cox.net.
 |
Abstract |
|---|
Despite its critical role in restoring cardiac rhythm
and thus, in saving human life, cardiac defibrillation
remains poorly understood. Further mechanistic inquiry
is hampered by the inability of current experimental
techniques to resolve, with sufficient accuracy,
electrical behaviour confined to the depth of the
ventricles. The objective of this review article is to
demonstrate that realistic 3D simulations of the
ventricular defibrillation process in close conjunction
with experimental observations are capable of bringing a
new level of understanding of the electrical events that
ensue from the interaction between fibrillating
myocardium and applied shock. The article does this by
reviewing the results of two studies, one on
vulnerability to electric shocks, and another on
defibrillation. An overview of the modelling tools used
in these studies is also provided.
Key Words:
Cardiac arrhythmia, Electrical stimulation, Electrophysiology
