Role of the dual AV nodal pathway physiology in the ventricular response during atrial fibrillation

Dual AV nodal pathway physiology is described as two different wavefronts that propagate from the atria to the His bundle. By using His electrogram alternance on 5 rabbit preparations, we have developed a mathematical model of atrioventricular conduction that incorporates dual AV nodal physiology. The ability to predict AV conduction time and the interaction between FP and SP wavefronts has been analyzed during regular and irregular atrial rhythms. In addition, the role of dual AV nodal pathway wavefronts in the generation of multimodal ventricular response patterns during AF has been evaluated. The presented model can help in understanding some of the intriguing AV node mechanisms and should be considered as a step forward in the studies of AV nodal conduction.