Steeper Action Potential Duration Restitution Slope Increases Risk of Ventricular Fibrillation: A Simulation Study

Action potential duration restitution (APDR) is thought to be relevant to the stability of cardiac electrophysiology. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) was simulated using the Wei-Harumi model by taking into account piecewise linear action potential duration restitution based on clinical findings. We found, in the simulation, that heart model with steeper slope of APDR required less ectopic stimuli to trigger VF. This result suggested that the APDR may affect cardiac vulnerability to VF.