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Atrial arrhythmias are the most frequent arrhythmias in human, often causing disabling symptoms and severe complications such as heart failure and arterial embolism. Mapping techniques are the gold standard for the study of arrhythmogenic processes. However, many of the mechanisms underlying initiation, perpetuation and termination of atrial arrhythmias still remain unclear, resulting in empirical therapeutic strategies. Computer models could represent an attractive alternative to experiments that cannot be performed in vivo. The advantage of computer modeling over other clinical or animal experiments is that it is possible to repeat experiments several times in the same experimental conditions, measure any value of interest at any location and simulate pathological conditions.
Therefore, we developed a computer model of human atria to help us in the study of the complex spatio-temporal dynamics of atrial fibrillation (AF). In a first phase, our computer model of AF was used to initiate sustained atrial arrhythmias and to study the conditions leading to initiation, perpetuation and termination. In a second phase, this model was used to better understand and improve the therapeutic procedures for AF. The choice of a therapy is patient-dependent and several therapies are available to restore sinus rhythm, to control heart rate or to prevent stroke: medication, cardioversion/defibrillation, therapeutical pacing and surgical and catheter ablation.
Last
updated
29-juil.-2009
December 10-12, 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland
