Initiation of ventricular fibrillation caused by cellular coupling modifications a computer simulation study

In this work, the authors investigate a mechanism which can generate multiple reentries. They use computer simulations based on the Van Capelle and Durrer (VCD) model. This model allows to describe the propagation of the depolarizing wave through the ventricle. A 128/spl times/128 matrix is used to simulate muscle layer of the ventricular wall. The authors study the influence or a random increase of the coupling resistance between cells on the patterns of the wave propagation. They consider aggregates of cells which are randomly distributed along the ventricular wall. Computer simulations show that reentries can be initiated by this process. For a given distribution of aggregates, random changes in coupling resistances may lead to major variations of the patterns or the reentries: from ventricular tachycardia to more complex patterns which could correspond to fibrillation.