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A Mathematical Model for Electrical Activity in Pig Atrial Tissue
Víctor Peris-Yagüe1,2, Tony Rubio3,4, Funsho E Fakuade3,4,5
1Biomedical Physics Group, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self Organisation, Gottingen, Germany.
Frontiers in Physiology
|April 1, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed the first mathematical model of pig atria electrophysiology. This computational tool aids in studying atrial fibrillation mechanisms and validating experimental findings in preclinical research.
Area of Science:
- Computational Biology
- Electrophysiology
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Mathematical models are crucial for bridging basic and preclinical research, aiding clinical translation.
- Porcine atria are vital experimental models for studying atrial fibrillation, but a specific mathematical model was lacking.
- Existing models often do not capture species-specific electrophysiological characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop the first ionically detailed mathematical model of porcine atrial electrophysiology at body temperature.
- To create a computational tool for investigating atrial fibrillation mechanisms and validating experimental data.
- To provide a model that can be used alongside experiments for in-depth analysis.
Main Methods:
- Developed an ionically detailed mathematical model with 12 ionic currents, incorporating experimental patch-clamp data.
- Adapted human atrial model formulations and modified them using porcine-specific restitution data.
- Integrated intracellular calcium dynamics using the Luo-Rudy formulation.
- Extended the model to 2D to simulate plane wave propagation and spiral wave dynamics.
Main Results:
- The model simulates normal porcine atrial cells as a system of ordinary differential equations.
- Two-dimensional simulations show plane wave propagation with a velocity of 0.58 m/s and wavelength of 8 cm.
- Stable spiral waves with a rotation period of approximately 180 ms were initiated and maintained for over 40 seconds.
- The model replicates experimental findings, showing early repolarization driven by a calcium-mediated chloride current, which inactivates at high pacing frequencies.
Conclusions:
- The developed model is the first of its kind for porcine atrial electrophysiology.
- This model serves as a valuable tool for understanding atrial fibrillation mechanisms in pigs.
- The model's ability to reproduce experimental observations validates its utility for preclinical research and potential clinical translation.
