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A phased-array stimulator system for studying planar and curved cardiac activation wavefronts
Rashida A Abbas1, Shien-Fong Lin, David Mashburn
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37235, USA. abbasr@comcast.net
IEEE Transactions on Bio-Medical Engineering
|February 1, 2008
Summary
This study introduces a computer-controlled system to precisely shape cardiac wavefronts for studying their geometry. This enables reproducible experiments on rabbit hearts to analyze wavefront velocity and fiber orientation relationships.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computational Biology
Background:
- Wavefront propagation in cardiac tissue is crucial for heart function.
- Wavefront geometry significantly influences propagation dynamics.
- Existing methods lack precise control over wavefront shape and orientation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and demonstrate a computer-controlled stimulator system for generating reproducible cardiac wavefronts of predetermined geometry.
- To investigate the effects of wavefront geometry on propagation dynamics in cardiac tissue.
- To establish a platform for studying wavefront velocity and fiber orientation relationships.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a computer-controlled stimulator system to generate controlled electrical stimuli.
- Employed voltage-sensitive dye (di-4-ANEPPS) staining in isolated perfused rabbit hearts.
- Imaged wavefront propagation using laser illumination and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera.
Main Results:
- Successfully created reproducible wavefronts with defined shapes and orientations.
- Characterized the relationship between wavefront velocity and cardiac fiber orientation.
- Demonstrated the system's capability for detailed analysis of wavefront propagation.
Conclusions:
- The developed stimulator and imaging system provide a powerful tool for investigating cardiac electrophysiology.
- This approach facilitates the study of geometric effects on wavefront propagation.
- Potential applications include testing cardiac tissue models and creating complex activation patterns.
