Computational modeling of spiral breakup in 2D and 3D excitable media provides a theoretical mechanism for the development of ventricular fibrillation.
The phenomenon of spiral breakup in a 2D and a 3D excitable medium is described. Differences between breakup in two dimensions and in three dimensions are discussed. Spiral breakup in an anatomical model of the ventricles of the heart is also studied. The patterns of excitation in the heart are presented at different wavelengths together with their electrocardiograms. Finally it is suggested that the phenomenon of spiral breakup is a possible mechanism of the ventricular fibrillation (VF). (c) 1998 American Institute of Physics.
Alexander V. Panfilov (1998) studied this question.