title: A Computer Simulation Study of Anatomy Induced Drift of Spiral Waves in the Human Atrium.
abstract: The interaction of spiral waves of excitation with atrial anatomy remains unclear. This simulation study isolates the role of atrial anatomical structures on spiral wave spontaneous drift in the human atrium. We implemented realistic and idealised 3D human atria models to investigate the functional impact of anatomical structures on the long-term (∼40 s) behaviour of spiral waves. The drift of a spiral wave was quantified by tracing its tip trajectory, which was correlated to atrial anatomical features. The interaction of spiral waves with the following idealised geometries was investigated: (a) a wedge-like structure with a continuously varying atrial wall thickness; (b) a ridge-like structure with a sudden change in atrial wall thickness; (c) multiple bridge-like structures consisting of a bridge connected to the atrial wall. Spiral waves drifted from thicker to thinner regions and along ridge-like structures. Breakthrough patterns caused by pectinate muscles (PM) bridges were also observed, albeit infrequently. Apparent anchoring close to PM-atrial wall junctions was observed. These observations were similar in both the realistic and the idealised models. We conclude that spatially altering atrial wall thickness is a significant cause of drift of spiral waves. PM bridges cause breakthrough patterns and induce transient anchoring of spiral waves.
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK.
authors.forename: Sanjay R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kharche
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool LS9 3BX, UK.
authors.forename: Irina V
authors.initials: IV
authors.lastname: Biktasheva
authors.affiliation: Institute for Biomedical Engineering, University of Karlsruhe (TH), 76131 Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: Gunnar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Seemann
authors.affiliation: Biological Physics Group, Department of Physics, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.
authors.forename: Henggui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK.
authors.forename: Vadim N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Biktashev
mesh_terms: D016275:Atrial Function; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular