Simulation of ectopic activity induced by EADs in Purkinje fibers. Influence of Purkinje-muscle coupling

The purpose of this work was to study the influence of the Purkinje-Ventricular Junction (PVJ) on the ectopic activity generated in the ventricular muscle due to the generation of Early Afterdepolarizations (EADs) in Purkinje fibers. In the study, a mathematical model simulating the electrical activity of a Purkinje Fiber (PF) connected to a ventricular muscle fiber (VMF) has been used. Conditions that induce the generation of EADs have been introduced in the Purkinje cells. It has been observed that the ectopic activity arising in the VMF can consist of a single beat or of a rhythmic series of beats. Besides, depending on the conditions of generation of EADs applied, the existence of a certain uncoupling between the fibers can be critical or not to allow the development of ectopic activity.