Complex structure of electrophysiological gradients emerging during long-duration ventricular fibrillation in the canine heart.

ABSTRACT: Long-duration ventricular fibrillation (LDVF) in the globally ischemic heart is a common setting of cardiac arrest. Electrical heterogeneities during LDVF may affect outcomes of defibrillation and resuscitation. Previous studies in large mammalian hearts have investigated the role of Purkinje fibers and electrophysiological gradients between the endocardium (Endo) and epicardium (Epi). Much less is known about gradients between the right ventricle (RV) and left ventricle (LV) and within each chamber during LDVF. We studied the transmural distribution of the VF activation rate (VFR) in the RV and LV and at the junction of RV, LV, and septum (Sep) during LDVF using plunge needle electrodes in opened-chest dogs. We also used optical mapping to analyze the Epi distribution of VFR, action poten

SUBMITTER: Venable PW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2993199 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature