Modelling of heterogeneous human atrial electrophysiology.

Investigation of the development of atrial fibrillation in-vivo is difficult as the occurrence is spontaneous and ECG signals of the atria are complex during fibrillation. In this study the model of Courtemanche et al. is parameterized such that it reproduces different action potential morphologies observed in mammal experiments. In 3D simulations on an anatomical atrial model the heterogeneous cell model led to gradients of action potential duration in the atria and a more synchronized repolarization sequence compared to the homogeneous model. Coupled with a model of electrical remodelling, stable rotors were generated on an anatomical model. The heterogeneous model of Courtemanche et al. provided by this study marks an important step for in-silico investigations of the initiation and sustainment mechanisms of atrial fibrillation.