Dresden 2020 – scientific programme

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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik

BP 32: Focus Session: Nonlinear Dynamics of the Heart I (joint session DY/BP)

BP 32.6: Invited Talk

Thursday, March 19, 2020, 11:15–11:45, ZEU 118

Wave-particle duality of dissipative vortices and implications for cardiology — •Irina V. Biktasheva — University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

Recent theoretical and experimental advancements in study of dynamics of dissipative vortices (aka spiral waves) brought these studies closer to practical impact and applications than ever before.

A dissipative vortex divides homogeneous system into the core, defined by it's rotation centre, or organising filament, and the periphery synchronised by signals from the core. Perturbed vortex slowly changes frequency and location of the core. Regime synchronises all available space, though it behaves as localised object sensitive only to perturbations affecting the core. The wave-particle duality is due to localisation of vortex's Response Functions (RFs) in immediate vicinity of the core. RFs allow quantitative prediction of drift caused by small perturbations of any nature, which makes RFs as fundamental characteristics for spiral waves as mass is for the matter.

We use cardiac re-entry's RFs to predict iscaemic border zone dynamics, and define basal tissue conditions for re-entry's escape into recovered tissue to either collapse or develop fibrillation. In human atrium, we demonstrate functional effects of anatomical structures on re-entry's spontaneous drift along pectinate muscles (PM) and crista terminalis, anchor to PM-atrial wall junctions or to some locations with no obvious anatomical features. The insights might improve patient specific ablation and low-voltage defibrillation protocols.