Research Information
- O.U.R. Research Program: Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP)
- Major(s): Bioengineering
- Anticipated graduation year: 2021
- Title: Ultrastructural Characteristics and Mechanical Properties of Purkinje Fibers in Heart: A literature Review
- Faculty Research Mentor: Jun Liao, Ph.D.
- Faculty Academic Department: Bioengineering
Abstract
The Purkinje fibers play a vital role in the contraction of the ventricles in the heart’s conduction system. Due to the complexity of the fiber and its soft nature, imaging this tissue and accurately evaluating the function it plays has been difficult. There is no in vivo way of properly visualizing the structure and geometry of the Purkinje network. The aim of the literature review is to discuss our current understanding of Purkinje fiber’s structure and its mechanical properties as well as the role it plays during cardiac disease and the means through which its function can be evaluated. The conclusion made after the review was that although there is numerous information on the electrophysiological functions of the Purkinje fiber there is no information on its mechanical properties and how it integrates into the surrounding heart tissue and future studies need to be done for this purpose.