Lecture 15 - Mathematical and computer models of electricity in the heart Flashcards
How does the heart work (electrically)
Natural pacemaker in heart
Cardiac tissue is electrically excitable
A stimulus above threshold produces an all or nothing response
Electrical excitation initiates and synchronises contraction
What can go wrong with the hearts electrical signals?
Failure of impulse conduction in the AV node
Abnormal impulse formation in the ventricular apex.
How to measure electrical activity?
Body surface ECG is standard clinical tool.
Cheap and effective for classifying rhythms
But integrates activity across the whole heart, as well as current flow in a volume conductor
What are the mechanisms by which a travelling electrical impulse is produced in a nerve?
Squid giant axon is a large nerve amenable to experimental investigation.
What is a mathematical model (definition)
A description of a system using mathematical concepts and language
