Three dimensional excitation sequence during Torsade de Points in the cardiac computer model with M cells

Abstract

This study is a three-dimensional (3-D) simulation aimed at verification about the M cell function during Torsade de Pointes (TdP). The entire process of TdP initiation, propagation and termination were successfully reproduced and the M cell function was examined. The heart model used in this simulation was previously described in detail (D. Wei et al., IEEE, vol. 42, p. 343-57, 1995). The model consists of approximately 50,000 functional cubic units with spatial resolution of 1.5 mm in dameter. Findings in the authors' study agree to those of C. Antzelevitch et al. (1996). By setting M cells in the heart model, the authors' study successfully simulated the TdP process and suggests that the reentry around M cells might be a possible mechanism in the formation of TdP.