A new electro-chemical model of the excitation-contraction process in the cardiac myocyte

A mathematical model for the excitation-contraction mechanism (E-C coupling) in cardiac cells has been formulated, based on the works of Tang and Othmer (1994), Luo and Rudy (1994), Jafri (1998) and Hamam (2000). This new model includes the kinetics as well as the electric aspects involved in the excitation-contraction process. It has been simulated using Matlab^® Simulink^®, and validated with experimental data provided by the INSERM institute (Paris, France). Simulation results show the expected ionic calcium concentration variations during the E-C coupling process, namely the bell-form shaped curve found by Fabiato, (1985). They also show an evolution of the membrane potential similar to that obtained by Luo and Rudy. This model is intended to be the basis of a computer aided system, to be used by biologists and doctors, as a research tool in experiment design and cardiac pathology treatment.