Abstract
We investigate the dynamics of a model of electrically coupled pacemaking cardiac sino-atrial node cells. Cell models are biophysically detailed, and include voltage-dependent membrane currents, pump-exchanger currents, and time-varying internal ion concentration changes similar to those seen in real sino-atrial node cells. It is found that at low, yet physiologically realistic coupling conductance values, complex dynamics including chaos can arise. Occurrence of these complex dynamics in coupled pacemaker cells may provide an explanation for the origin of certain cardiac arrhythmias.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2501-2504 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Physical Review Letters |
| Volume | 71 |
| Issue number | 15 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Oct 1993 |
Keywords
- cytosolic free calcium
- perfused rat-heart
- rabbit sinus node
- electrical-activity
- atrial node
- conductance