Periodicities of cardiac mechanics

Using a finite-difference equation to model cardiac mechanics, we simulated the stable action of the left ventricle. This model describes the left ventricular end-diastolic volume as a function of the previous end-diastolic volume and several physiological parameters describing the mechanical properties and hemodynamic loading conditions of the heart. Our theoretical simulations demonstrated that transitions (bifurcations) can occur between different modes of dynamic organization of the isolated working heart as parameters are changed. Different regions in the parameter space are characterized by different stable limit cycle periodicities. Experimental studies carried out in an isolated working rat heart model verified the model predictions. The experimental studies showed that stable periodicities were invoked by changing the parameter values in the direction suggested by the theoretical analysis. We propose in the present work that mechanical periodicities of the heart action are an inherent part of its nonlinear nature. The model predictions and experimental results are compatible with previous experimental data but may contradict several hypotheses suggested to explain the phenomenon of cardiac periodicities.