Simulation system of arrhythmia using ActiveX control

A simulation system for arrhythmias has been developed using Windows-based software technology, ActiveX control. The cardiac module consists of six cells, the sinus, atrium, AV node, ventricle, and ectopic foci. The physiological properties of the cells, the automaticity and conduction delay, were modelled, respectively, by the phase response curve and the excitability recovery curve. Cell functions were implemented in the ActiveX control and incorporated into the cardiac module. The system draws the ECG sequence as a ladder diagram in real time. The system interactively shows diverse arrhythmias for various user settings of the cell function and bidirectional conduction between the cells. Users are able to experiment virtually by setting up a so-called electrophysiological stimulation. This system is useful for learning and for teaching the interaction between the cells and arrhythmias.