Unpinning and removal of a rotating wave in cardiac muscle

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Jul 30;93(5):058101. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.058101. Epub 2004 Jul 26.

Abstract

Rotating waves in cardiac muscle may be pinned to a heterogeneity, as it happens in superconductors or in superfluids. We show that the physics of electric field distribution between cardiac cells permits one to deliver an electric pulse exactly to the core of a pinned wave, without knowing its position, and even to locations where a direct access is not possible. Thus, unpinning or removal of rotating waves can be achieved. The energy needed is 2 orders of magnitude less than defibrillation energy. This opens a way to new manipulations with pinned vortices both in experiments and in cardiac clinics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anisotropy
  • Electric Countershock
  • Electricity
  • Electrophysiology
  • Humans
  • Ions
  • Models, Statistical
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Rabbits
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Ions