Journal of Computer Science & Systems Biology

Simulation of Propagation of Action Potentials in Cardiac Tissue with an Inhomogeneous Distribution of Extracellular Potassium

Abstract

Sudarshan Dhungana and Piyush Kar

We report simulation of experimental data for heterogeneous distribution of extracellular potassium, by developing and applying a mathematical model formulated by incorporating a Luo-Rudy representation of the cell membrane current into the bidomain model of the cardiac tissue. Our model serves to examine propagation of extra cellular potassium from a region of low potassium (normal) to a region of high potassium (ischemic). Starting with computer simulation of unipolar stimulation of cardiac tissue, we reproduced results of the passive bidomain model, and also simulated the space-clamped Luo Rudy model. Finally, we combined the Luo-Rudy model with the bidomain model. The diastolic threshold for anodal stimulation first decreased and then increased with increasing potassium concentration ([K]0), reaching a minimum value at [K]0=12mM.