title: Depth-resolved optical imaging of transmural electrical propagation in perfused heart.
abstract: We present a study of the 3-dimensional (3D) propagation of electrical waves in the heart wall using Laminar Optical Tomography (LOT). Optical imaging contrast is provided by a voltage sensitive dye whose fluorescence reports changes in membrane potential. We examined the transmural propagation dynamics of electrical waves in the right ventricle of Langendorf perfused rat hearts, initiated either by endo-cardial or epi-cardial pacing. 3D images were acquired at an effective frame rate of 667Hz. We compare our experimental results to a mathematical model of electrical transmural propagation. We demonstrate that LOT can clearly resolve the direction of propagation of electrical waves within the cardiac wall, and that the dynamics observed agree well with the model of electrical propagation in rat ventricular tissue.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, 1210 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA. eh2245@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth M C
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Hillman
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bernus
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pease
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bouchard
authors.forename: Arkady
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pertsov
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D018780:Body Surface Potential Mapping / Q000379:methods*; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D041622:Tomography, Optical / Q000379:methods*