title: How hyperpolarization and the recovery of excitability affect propagation through a virtual anode in the heart.
abstract: Researchers have suggested that the fate of a shock-induced wave front at the edge of a "virtual anode" (a region hyperpolarized by the shock) is a key factor determining success or failure during defibrillation of the heart. In this paper, we use a simple one-dimensional computer model to examine propagation speed through a hyperpolarized region. Our goal is to test the hypothesis that rapid propagation through a virtual anode can cause failure of propagation at the edge of the virtual anode. The calculations support this hypothesis and suggest that the time constant of the sodium inactivation gate is an important parameter. These results may be significant in understanding the mechanism of the upper limit of vulnerability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309, USA.
authors.forename: Nicholas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Charteris
authors.forename: Bradley J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Roth
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D025802:Electric Capacitance; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004566:Electrodes; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000502:physiology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015222:Sodium Channels