In Silico 3D Simulations of Atrial Fibrillation Mechanisms

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, with a significant impact on patients' quality of life. In recent decades, clinical research has made considerable progress in seeking to understand the triggering and maintaining mechanisms of AF. With this progress, cardiac electrophysiology simulations have gained prominence in basic cardiology research. In this context, the present study aims to simulate the main mechanisms of AF on a 3D surface of the right atrium, including Ectopic Foci, Rotors, and Multiple Reentries. The openCARP (open-source simulator) was used, with the Courtemanche mathematical model for atrial cells and the monodomain model to represent the communication between myocardial cells in electrical activity. The simulations were visually classified using the openCARP Meshalyzer tool. Furthermore, qualitative analyses were performed, including observations of the wavefront morphology, initial conditions generating the mechanism, transmembrane potential signal shape, and patterns in fibrotic regions. Comparative analysis between some simulations was also addressed. In summary, these simulations support the theories of the simulated AF mechanisms and may uncover underlying patterns of arrhythmic conditions, providing insights for the study and understanding of this disease, with potential applications in clinical practice and future in silico studies.