Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 14, 2026
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High-Resolution Endocardial and Epicardial Optical Mapping in a Sheep Model of Stretch-Induced Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 29, 2011
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From Pig to Human: Endo-Epicardial Substrate Characterization Using Dual Optical Mapping
Jimena Siles1,2, Casey Lee-Trimble2, Evan Rheaume2
1HEartLab, Federal University of ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.
Computing in Cardiology
|April 13, 2026
Summary
Dual optical mapping reveals critical differences in how porcine and human hearts develop arrhythmias. Human hearts show more alternans and heterogeneity, highlighting species-specific mechanisms for sudden cardiac arrest.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Arrhythmogenesis Research
Background:
- Understanding endocardial and epicardial electrical activity dissociation is key to investigating arrhythmia mechanisms.
- Dual-surface mapping provides insights into the complex electrical behavior of the heart.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simultaneously record transmembrane voltage from endocardial and epicardial surfaces in porcine and human hearts.
- To investigate species-specific differences in arrhythmogenesis using dual optical mapping.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a dual optical mapping system for simultaneous endo-epi recording.
- Paced endocardium at increasing rates (PCL 1000 ms to block/arrhythmia).
- Analyzed action potential duration (APD) alternans and repolarization heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Porcine hearts transitioned abruptly to fibrillation with minimal APD alternans.
- Human hearts displayed significant APD alternans and repolarization heterogeneity before fibrillation.
- Endocardial maps during fibrillation showed conduction block and reentrant sites; epicardial activation was slower.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrated endo-epicardial dissociation and species-specific differences in arrhythmogenesis.
- Dual-surface optical mapping is a valuable tool for translational cardiac research.
- Findings advance understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
