Effect of cell geometry on conduction velocity in a subcellular model of myocardium.
We have studied the effect of cell geometry on propagation velocity of the cardiac impulse using a subcellular computer model of myocardium. Variation of cell size has only small effects on longitudinal and transverse conduction velocities, when the ratio of cell length/width is constant, for cell sizes (length x width) between (60 microm x 20 microm) and (120 microm x 40 microm). The results were not dependent on gap-junction conductance (range 0.25-1 microS), gap-junction distribution, or the specific tissue architecture. Longitudinal conduction velocity increased with the cell length/width ratio and transverse velocity decreased. The cell length/width ratio was a good estimator of the anisotropic ratio. In conclusion, cell length/width ratio is more important than cell size in determining conduction velocity.
Toure
Amadou
A
Department of Biomedical Engineering, City College of New York, City University of New York, New York, NY 10031, USA. amadou@ees1s0.engr.ccny.cuny.edu
Cabo
Candido
C
D000818:Animals; D016880:Anisotropy; D048430:Cell Shape / Q000502:physiology*; D048429:Cell Size; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004285:Dogs; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*