Modelling conduction through the Purkinje ventricular junction and the short-QT syndrome associated with HERG mutation in the rabbit ventricles

Abstract

Remarkable differences in action potential properties between the Purkinje fibre and ventricular cells may lead to abnormalities in excitation conduction through the Purkinje-ventricular junction (PVJ) and arrhythmogenic behaviour. We develop a family of electrophysiologically detailed computer models for rabbit epicardial, midmyocardial and endocardial ventricular myocytes, as well as the rabbit Purkinje fibre cells, in order to simulate a realistic APD dispersion during conduction through the PVJ under normal conditions and under pathological conditions of the short QT syndrome associated with HERG N588K mutation.