Scroll waves meandering in a model of an excitable medium

Area of Science:

• Computational physics
• Biophysics
• Mathematical modeling

Background:

• Spiral waves in two-dimensional (2D) excitable media exhibit complex meandering dynamics.
• Understanding three-dimensional (3D) scroll wave behavior is crucial for applications in various fields, including cardiac electrophysiology.
• The Aliev-Panfilov model provides a robust framework for simulating excitable media.

Purpose of the Study:

• To numerically investigate the dynamics of scroll wave filaments in a 3D excitable medium.
• To characterize the different types of scroll wave filament meandering.
• To analyze the influence of medium thickness and parameter settings on these dynamics.

Main Methods:

• Numerical simulations were performed using the Aliev-Panfilov model.
• The study focused on a 3D excitable medium.
• Analysis involved identifying and classifying scroll wave filament behaviors.

Main Results:

• Three distinct types of scroll wave filament dynamics were identified: quasi-2D meandering, periodic meandering, and aperiodic meandering.
• The observed dynamics are dependent on specific parameter settings within the Aliev-Panfilov model.
• The thickness of the 3D medium significantly influences the type and characteristics of the filament's meandering.

Conclusions:

• The study reveals a rich variety of scroll wave filament dynamics in 3D excitable media, extending beyond simpler 2D spiral wave behavior.
• Parameter settings and medium geometry (thickness) are critical factors controlling the transition between different meandering regimes.
• These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of wave propagation in complex biological and chemical systems.