[Intrinsic steady-state pattern of mouse cardiac electrophysiology: analysis using a characterized quantitative...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Electrophysiology
• Quantitative Biology

Context:

• Understanding the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of the heart is crucial for diagnosing cardiac conditions.
• Previous research has often overlooked detailed quantitative analysis of cardiac electrical activity under physiological conditions.
• Sex-specific differences in cardiac function are increasingly recognized but require precise characterization.

Purpose:

• To quantitatively analyze the intrinsic steady-state electrophysiological properties of the mouse heart.
• To identify and characterize the intrinsic correlation network of cardiac electrophysiological traits.
• To explore sex-specific differences in cardiac electrophysiology and conduction patterns.

Summary:

• High-resolution electrocardiographic analysis (ECGsqa) in unanesthetized mice quantified 14 cardiac electrophysiological parameters.
• Female mice showed higher amplitudes and velocities for R and ST waves compared to males.
• A novel correlation network revealed distinct atrial and ventricular conduction patterns, with sex-specific associations and an atrioventricular interconnection in males versus atrial conduction dependence in females.

Impact:

• This research establishes a quantitative framework for understanding cardiac electrophysiology in mice.
• The identified sex-specific correlation networks provide novel insights into gender differences in cardiac conduction.
• These findings can inform future research on sex-based cardiovascular disease mechanisms and treatments.