title: [Epicardial mapping of reentrant activation during ventricular fibrillation. An experimental study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  High-resolution epicardial mapping was used in an experimental model to analyze reentrant activation during ventricular fibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 30 isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts, recordings were made of ventricular fibrillation activity using an epicardial multiple electrode. In the activation maps with reentrant activation patterns, determinations were made of the number of consecutive rotations, the maximum length of the central core, the area encompassed by the core and two electrodes surrounding it, and the cycle defined by reentrant activation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the activation maps analyzed showed complex patterns with two or more wave fronts that either collided or remained separated by functional block lines (514 maps, 86%). In 112 maps (19%) activation patterns compatible with epicardial breakthrough of the depolarization process were observed. Reentrant activity was recorded in 42 maps (7%) - the maximum number of consecutive rotations being 3 (mean = 1.3 +/- 0.5). The maximum length of the central core ranged from 3 to 7 mm (mean = 5 +/- 1 mm), while the area encompassed by the central core plus two electrodes surrounding it ranged from 35 to 55 mm2 (mean = 45 +/- 6 mm2). The reentrant cycle length (mean = 47 +/- 8 ms) showed a linear relation to the maximum length of the central core reentry (cycle = 4.52 x length + 24.6; r = 0.7; p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  a) Epicardial mapping allowed the identification of reentrant activation patterns during ventricular fibrillation in the experimental model used; b) the reentrant activity detected is infrequent and unstable, and c) a linear relation exists between the duration of the cycles defined by reentrant activity and the maximum length of central core reentry.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología. Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia.Departamentos de aElectrónica y bFisiología. Universidad de Valencia.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chorro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cánoves
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mainar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchís
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Llavador
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Such
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: López Merino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Such
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*