Surface-Based Electrophysiology Modeling and Assessment of Physiological Simulations in Atria

The objective of this paper is to assess a previously-proposed surface-based electrophysiology model with detailed atrial simulations. This model – derived and substantiated by mathematical arguments – is specifically designed to address thin structures such as atria, and to take into account strong anisotropy effects related to fiber directions with possibly rapid variations across the wall thickness. The simulation results are in excellent adequacy with previous studies, and confirm the importance of anisotropy effects and variations thereof. Furthermore, this surface-based model provides dramatic computational benefits over 3D models with preserved accuracy.