Key result
A rule-based computer simulation of pulmonary vein firing led to the initiation of atrial fibrillation in 65.7% of all simulations, generating chaotic excitation patterns characteristic of AF.
A rule-based computer model successfully simulated pulmonary vein firing leading to atrial fibrillation, providing a potential tool for evaluating anatomical and electrophysiological influences and planning therapies like ablation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia leading to a high rate of stroke. The underlying mechanisms of initiation and maintenance of AF are not fully understood. Several findings suggest a multitude of factors to leave the atria vulnerable to AF. In this work, a rule-based approach is taken to simulate the initiation of AF in a computer model for the purpose of generating a model with which the influence of anatomical structures, electrophysiological properties of the atria and arrhythmogenic activity can be evaluated. Pulmonary vein firing has been simulated leading to AF in 65.7 % of all simulations. The excitation pattern generated resemble chaotic excitation behavior, which is characteristic for AF as well as stable reentrant circuits responsible for atrial flutter. The findings compare well with literature. In future, the presented computer model of AF can be used in therapy planning such as ablation therapy or overdrive pacing.
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Reumann et al. (2006) studied Atrial fibrillation. Rule-based computer simulation of pulmonary vein firing was evaluated on Initiation of atrial fibrillation. A rule-based computer simulation of pulmonary vein firing led to the initiation of atrial fibrillation in 65.7% of all simulations, generating chaotic excitation patterns characteristic of AF.
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