Propagation and electrical impedance changes due to ischemia, hypoxia and reperfusion in mouse hearts

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively characterize major electrical markers of cardiac ischemia in normal mouse hearts to establish a set of baseline parameters for evaluation of genetically altered mouse hearts. Optical and electrical imaging techniques were coupled with impedance measurements to quantify changes induced by global ischemia. Optical and electrical mapping studies revealed the time course of conduction slowing and local inactivation during 30 minutes of ischemia or hypoxia. Measures of myocardial electrical impedance (MEI) were made during 30 and 120 minutes of global ischemia and proved to be qualitatively similar yet quantitatively distinct when compared to results reported from other mammals. The results of this study can now be applied in the analysis of genetically altered mouse hearts that are currently becoming available to help us understand cardiac death in disease.