The physics of heart rhythm disorders

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Computational Biology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading global cause of mortality.
• Developing mechanistic models of cardiac function is crucial for combating heart disease.
• Heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) present a significant health concern amenable to quantitative study.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of quantitative methodologies in understanding arrhythmia dynamics.
• To explore mechanistic models of cardiac function and their relation to arrhythmias.
• To discuss pattern formation, initiation, perpetuation, and treatment of arrhythmias.

Main Methods:

• Construction and analysis of single-cell, two-dimensional, and three-dimensional cardiac myocyte models.
• Investigation of pattern formation, specifically spiral wave activation.
• Analysis of spatially discordant alternans and fibrillation mechanisms.
• Review of spatio-temporal mapping techniques and statistical physics tools.

Main Results:

• Models reveal insights into pattern formation, such as spiral waves, in cardiac systems.
• Spatially discordant alternans are identified as a key mechanism for arrhythmia initiation.
• Proposed mechanisms for arrhythmia perpetuation, including fibrillation, are discussed.
• Statistical physics tools offer valuable perspectives on heart rhythm disorder dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative methodologies provide powerful tools for dissecting complex arrhythmia mechanisms.
• Mechanistic models are essential for understanding cardiac function and developing new therapeutic strategies.
• Further integration of computational and statistical approaches can advance the study and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.