Coexistence of multiple spiral waves with independent frequencies in a heterogeneous excitable medium.
We studied the interactions and coexistence of stable spiral waves with independent frequencies in a heterogeneous excitable medium, using numerical simulations of a spatial system based on the FitzHugh-Nagumo cell model. When the heterogeneity of the medium exceeded a critical value, a transition took place from a single dominant spiral wave to a coexistence of multiple spiral waves with independent frequencies and n:n-1 wave conduction blocks. In this case, multiple spiral waves could coexist because they are "insulated" from each other by chaotic regions.
Xie
F
F
Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA.
Qu
Z
Z
Weiss
J N
JN
Garfinkel
A
A
D001683:Biological Clocks / Q000502:physiology*; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D008959:Models, Neurological; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000502:physiology*; D010507:Periodicity