Computer simulation of the cardiac conduction system.

A discrete computer model simulating the operation of the cardiac impulse transmission apparatus and the electropotential changes of the heart musculature has been developed on a NORD-100 minicomputer. The model is written in NORD-FORTRAN and allows description of practically all basic pathologies of the transmission apparatus. A simulated ECG curve is produced in each case. The current version of the model is especially suited for studies of heart rhythms. Pacemaker descriptions (of most important pacemaker types) have been introduced into the model and the computer computations make it possible to assess the effects of different pacemaker modes under different pathological situations. The principles on which the model is based is described and the paper shows concisely several examples in the form of simulated ECG records.