Computational investigation of the atrio-ventricular node conduction: developing mouse transitional cells models

Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with atrial fibrillation playing a prominent role. The atrioventricular node (AVN), despite being a key component in regulating impulse conduction between atria and ventricles, remains only partially characterized, especially from a computational point of view. This work aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of AVN behavior through the reconstruction, calibration, and integration of interspecies electrophysiological models. We conducted a comparative analysis of two existing models: the rabbit model proposed by Inada et al., consisting of a family of three models, and the mouse model developed by Bartolucci et al. Starting from the N-type cell of Inada, we reconstructed the transition phenotypes (AN and NH) to study the structural and functional eects of the applied modifications. The same framework of modifications was then transferred and adapted to the mouse context to assess its reproducibility between species. Due to physiological and structural dierences between rabbit and mouse, direct repli- cation proved insucient. A preliminary calibration, supported by sensitivity analysis, was performed to adjust calcium-related parameters and activation thresholds, enabling the construction of two qualitatively stable mouse transitional cell models. Finally, the calibrated cells were embedded into a one-dimensional discrete AVN structure inspired by the Inada configuration. The results obtained provided insight into the feasibility of interspecies adaptation and the challenges of reproducing AVN dynamics in murine simulations.