Nonlinear dynamics in cardiac conduction.
Electrical conduction in the heart shows many phenomena familiar from nonlinear dynamics.  Among these phenomena are multiple basins of attraction, phase locking, and perhaps period-doubling bifurcations and chaos.  We describe a simple cellular-automation model of electrical conduction which simulates normal conduction patterns in the heart as well as a wide range of disturbances of heart rhythm.  In addition, we review the application of percolation theory to the analysis of the development of complex, self-sustaining conduction patterns.
Kaplan
D T
DT
Harvard-MIT, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA.
Smith
J M
JM
Saxberg
B E
BE
Cohen
R J
RJ
D000818:Animals; D016275:Atrial Function / Q000502:physiology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016276:Ventricular Function / Q000502:physiology