Computer simulation of electric fields at the junction terminal crest -pectinate muscle

In a previous work we studied the behavior of the electric field E parallel to a cardiac tissue surface during continuous conduction (2000). We found that 1) the peak field E/spl circ/ points opposite the direction of propagation, 2) the instant T/sub E/ of E/spl circ/ represents an accurate time marker of local activation, and 3) vector-loops of E can be measured using ultradense four-element electrode arrays (< 100 /spl mu/m) and high sampling frequencies (> 100 kHz). Experimentally during recordings in the region Terminal Crest - Pectinate Muscles of rabbit atria we observed loop morphologies, however which deviated in some instances significantly from the expected behavior We supposed that, apart from discrete effects, branching and the curvature of the tissue might play a role. Hence we examined by means of a computer model if properties of E, observed in the uniform case, remain unchanged in case of more complex activation patterns at a bifurcation site with curved fibers.