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Curvature-Dependent Excitation Propagation in Cultured Cardiac Tissue
S Kadota1, M W Kay2, N Magome1
1Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, Kyoto University, 60638501 Kyoto, Japan.
JETP Letters
|December 26, 2015
Summary
Excitation wave front geometry is crucial for cardiac reentry, but only when sodium channel activity is inhibited. In normal heart tissue, wave propagation is not significantly affected by curvature.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Wave front geometry is theorized to influence cardiac arrhythmia formation, such as reentry.
- Obstacles and tissue geometry can create highly curved excitation wave fronts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of excitation wave front curvature in propagation block and spiral wave formation in cardiac tissue.
- To determine if curvature effects are significant under normal physiological conditions versus inhibited excitability.
Main Methods:
- Experiments were conducted on cardiac tissue cultures.
- Partial suppression of sodium channels using Lidocaine was employed.
- Computer simulations were used to validate experimental findings.
Main Results:
- In non-inhibited cardiac tissue, wave front curvature did not significantly impact propagation, even with obstacles like narrow isthmuses or sharp corners.
- Curvature-related phenomena, including propagation block and wave detachment, were observed only after partial sodium channel suppression with Lidocaine.
- Computer simulations corroborated these experimental observations.
Conclusions:
- Excitation wave front curvature is not a primary factor in propagation block or reentry in healthy cardiac tissue.
- The finite size of cardiomyocytes and normal cell-to-cell excitation transfer prevent curvature-related effects in non-inhibited tissue.
- Lidocaine-induced sodium channel inhibition alters wave propagation dynamics, making curvature effects apparent.
