Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Patient-specific Modeling of the Heart: Estimation of Ventricular Fiber Orientations
Published on: January 8, 2013
The physics of heart rhythm disorders
1Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92037.
Abstract:
The global burden caused by cardiovascular disease is substantial, with heart disease representing the most common cause of death around the world. There remains a need to develop better mechanistic models of cardiac function in order to combat this health concern. Heart rhythm disorders, or arrhythmias, are one particular type of disease which has been amenable to quantitative investigation. Here we review the application of quantitative methodologies to explore dynamical questions pertaining to arrhythmias. We begin by describing single-cell models of cardiac myocytes, from which two and three dimensional models can be constructed. Special focus is placed on results relating to pattern formation across these spatially-distributed systems, especially the formation of spiral waves of activation. Next, we discuss mechanisms which can lead to the initiation of arrhythmias, focusing on the dynamical state of spatially discordant alternans, and outline proposed mechanisms perpetuating arrhythmias such as fibrillation. We then review experimental and clinical results related to the spatio-temporal mapping of heart rhythm disorders. Finally, we describe treatment options for heart rhythm disorders and demonstrate how statistical physics tools can provide insights into the dynamics of heart rhythm disorders.
More Related Videos
09:35Preclinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Assessment by Dual Voltage and Calcium Optical Mapping of Human Organotypic Cardiac Slices
Published on: June 16, 2020
09:20Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias I: Introduction
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Dysrhythmias III: Characteristics of Dysrhythmias