Computer simulation of anterograde and retrograde accessory pathway conduction in WPW syndrome

Abstract

The mechanism underlying WPW syndrome features accessory conduction between the atrium and ventricle. We recently visualized the histological morphology of the accessory pathway using a three-dimensional image reconstruction technique. However, the morphological and electrophysiological details of an accessory pathway are unclear. Here, we performed computer simulations of anterograde and retrograde accessory pathway conduction using a simplified wall model. We investigated the relationships among the bundle size of the accessory pathway, intercellular conductivity, and accessory conduction. We found that increasing the intercellular conductivity of the atria and ventricle promotes such conduction. By contrast, we found that increasing intercellular conductivity of the accessory pathway prevents accessory conduction. Source-sink theory may explain the first points; an electrotonic effect may explain the second one. Our findings provide new insights into the morphological and electrophysiological details of the accessory pathway.