Structural complexity effects on transverse propagation in a two-dimensional model of myocardium

A thin sheet of cardiac tissue was modeled as a set of resistively coupled excitable cables with membrane dynamics described by the modified Beeler Reuter model. Transverse connections have a resistance R _n and are regularly distributed with a spacing Delta on any given cable, to provide alternating input and output junctions. Flat wave longitudinal propagation corresponds to propagation along a single continuous cable since all units of the network are functionally isolated due to the absence of transverse current flow. Overall, the behavior of the network model is in good agreement with available structural and electrophysiological data on myocardium. The network topology allows parameters governing propagation to be addressed more easily and avoids very large and computationally costly matrices.