Project

Dynamics and stability of complex activation patterns in the heart

Code
3E019110
Duration
01 October 2010 → 30 September 2016
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund, Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Applied mathematics in specific fields
    • Astronomy and space sciences
    • Classical physics
    • Elementary particle and high energy physics
    • Materials physics
    • Mathematical physics
    • Quantum physics
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Biophysics
    • Cardiac and vascular medicine
    • Biophysics
    • Cardiac and vascular medicine
    • Biophysics
    • Cardiac and vascular medicine
Keywords
excitable media biophysics non-linear dynamics
 
Project description

The pumping function of the heart muscle is coordinated by waves of electrical activity. During heart rhythm disorders, life-threatening spiral-shaped activation patterns develop. Using methods from mathematical physics, interactions between such waves will be investigated, potentially leading to fundamental insight in the onset of heart rhythm disorders. An obvious application will be the accurate treatment of arrhythmias such as atrial and ventricular fibrillation.