Conduction velocity in myocardium modulated by strain: measurement instrumentation and initial results

Quantification of the relationship between strain and excitation velocity in cardiac muscle gives important insights into the significance and contribution of microstructure and several transmembrane proteins to cardiac electrophysiology. In this study we introduce a measurement and analysis system for quantification of the relationship in papillary muscle of small mammals, superfused and kept in a physiological environment. A novelty of the approach is the extensive automation and computerization of the measurement and analysis procedure. Initial results indicate that the conduction velocity is strain dependent in such a manner that several components contribute to establish this relationship. Further studies will help to quantify the relationship and importance of the components.