Experiments in the laboratory are directed towards understanding a mechanism for cardiac arrhythmias, particular ventricular fibrillation (VF). Different hypotheses have been developed to explain the genesis of VF. However, we hypothesize that VF is caused by the breakup of a single rotating spiral wave into multiple wavelets. Initial theories are generated through non-linear dynamics and through using computer-modeling techniques. Experimental data obtained from canine endocardium, myocytes, and Purkinje fibers are used to provide evidence in support of these models. To obtain data, the lab utilizes two multi-electrode setups in addition to a patch clamp setup.

Additional work is being conducted to develop a means of arrhythmia termination. One possibility to control arrhythmias is a computer algorithm that delivers small controlled impulses to heart tissue at specific intervals. Another phenomenon being examined is the anti-arrhythmic drug combination of sotalol and mexilitine.

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