Critical fronts in initiation of excitation waves.
We consider the problem of initiation of propagating waves in a one-dimensional excitable fiber. In the FitzHugh-Nagumo theory, the key role is played by "critical nucleus" and "critical pulse" solutions whose (center-) stable manifold is the threshold surface separating initial conditions leading to propagation and those leading to decay. We present evidence that in cardiac excitation models, this role is played by "critical front" solutions.
Idris
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Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZL, United Kingdom.
Biktashev
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D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D001703:Biophysics / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D008954:Models, Biological; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015233:Models, Statistical; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D013816:Thermodynamics; D013997:Time Factors