Dr.-Ing. Cristian Barrios

B.Sc. Helena Gießler

This project provides a hands-on opportunity to investigate the mechanisms of reversible electroporation for treating cardiac arrhythmias using the openCARP simulation framework. The student will start by adapting a previously developed rat cellular-level electroporation model (based on the Pandit model) to the human atrial cardiomyocyte model by Courtemanche. This will enable the study of reversible electroporation effects on ion currents, membrane permeability, and recovery dynamics at the cellular level. Subsequently, the focus will shift to tissue-level modeling, where arrhythmogenic phenomena such as reentry circuits will be introduced. The student will simulate the application of electroporation pulses to evaluate their potential to terminate abnormal rhythms effectively. Through these simulations, the student will analyze how electrical fields can achieve therapeutic benefits while minimizing irreversible tissue damage.