Continuous ECG measurements of intracardiac activity from the surface of Langendorff-perfused guinea pig hearts

Abstract

The present paper describes a method by which it is possible to continuously detect early atrial and His-bundle activity from the surface of intact Langendorff-perfused guinea-pig hearts, by appropriate placement of two electrodes and the use of a custom designed instrumentation-amplifier. In some experiments the surface ECG recordings were compared with intracardiac ECG recordings. No difference in ECG durations could be observed between intracardiac and extracardiac measurements. In further experiments changes in ECG durations and heart rate were measured for 2 h. After 30 min equilibration time, no changes in heart rate and conduction time could be observed. In order to locate the best surface electrode positions to detect His-bundle activity, vector ECG recordings were taken at high gain. This vector ECG signal contained a His-loop which was split into a larger and a smaller part. The main and initial vector was directed to the left and the smaller to the right ventricle. The best recordings of the His-bundle activity could be observed when the electrodes were positioned as follows; one in a posterior position, near the valve plane and the other one in the opposite position near the initial part of the anterior interventricular artery and in the direction of the large His-loop. We conclude that the ECG surface recordings are a valuable tool for measuring impulse propagation through various segments of the cardiac conduction system in preparations of guinea-pig hearts, perfused by the Langendorff method.