Electrotonic cell-cell interactions in cardiac tissue: Effects on action potential propagation and repolarization

This article characterizes through computer simulations, the role of cell-cell interactions and of tissue structure in determining properties of action potential propagation and repolarization in cardiac tissue. The results demonstrate strong interactions between membrane excitatory processes and electrical loading by the passive tissue structure. These interactions modulate the ionic mechanism of conduction and influence conduction velocity and robustness. Cell-cell interactions also have a strong effect on the dispersion of repolarization in cardiac tissue.