2004/03/25 by André G. Kléber, Yoram Rudy · 2 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Neuroscience · Chemistry · #Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias #Ion channel regulation and function #Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling #Wavefront #Cardiac cell #Impulse (physics) #Repolarization #Excitation #Optical mapping #Neuroscience #Electrical conduction system of the heart #Physics #Cardiac action potential #Electrophysiology #Wave propagation #Thermal conduction #Biophysics #Chemistry #Cardiology #Electrocardiography #Internal medicine #Medicine #Biology #Optics #Classical mechanics
paper · doi:10.1152/physrev.00025.2003
openalex publication_date 2004/03/25 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
Propagation of excitation in the heart involves action potential (AP) generation by cardiac cells and its propagation in the multicellular tissue. AP conduction is the outcome of complex interactions between cellular electrical activity, electrical cell-to-cell communication, and the cardiac tissue structure. As shown in this review, strong interactions occur among these determinants of electrical impulse propagation. A special form of conduction that underlies many cardiac arrhythmias involves circulating excitation. In this situation, the curvature of the propagating excitation wavefront and the interaction of the wavefront with the repolarization tail of the preceding wave are additional important determinants of impulse propagation. This review attempts to synthesize results from computer simulations and experimental preparations to define mechanisms and biophysical principles that govern normal and abnormal conduction in the heart.