Monophasic Action Potentials In The Heart

MAPs have undergone a fascinating history, beginning with injury potentials in 1883, and undergoing a remarkable renaissance over the last 30 years in many areas of electrophysiology research, both basic and clinical. Since 1986, the contact electrode technique has provided a unique means to test basic research concepts in the intact or in vivo human heart. Even so, observations in clincal elctrophysiology still warrant further exploration in basic science. Scientific experts in the field have contributed to this volume their latest data on myocardial repolarization and the many factors that modulate normal and abnormal repolorization, to the benefit of electrophysiologists, cardiologists, clinicians as well as pharmaceutical researchers involved in the development of aniarrhythmic drugs. By concentrating on the electrical activity of the in situ heart, this timely and informative reference brings to light information that cannot be obtained by any other means.

Over the last two decades monophasic action potential (MAP) recording has matured into a technique that provides a link between basic and clinical electrophysiology. International experts present exciting data on MAP recording techniques, the mechanism and interpretation of MAPs, and novel aspects of repolarization-related arrhythmias.

A comprehensive review of all the latest developments in cardiac electrophysiology, focusing on both the clinical and experimental aspects of ventricular repolarization, including newly discovered clinical repolarization syndromes, electrocardiographic phenomena, and their correlation with the most recent advances in basic science. The authors illuminate the basic electrophysiologic, molecular, and pharmacologic mechanisms underlying ventricular repolarization, relate them to specific disease conditions, and examine the future of antiarrhythmic drug development based on both molecular and electrophysiological properties. They also fully review the clinical presentation and management of specific cardiac repolarization conditions.

The field of electrocardiography is at a cross roads. We have reached an era in cardiovascular about the electrical state of the heart not likely to be available in any other imaging techniques. medicine where it is claimed that "imaging" is king. The innovative and useful ultrasound And, in the body surface potential map, we have an imaging technique that goes beyond struc techniques continue to develop, and, in the wings lie magnetic resonance, position emission, ture-the only other being, perhaps, magnetic resonance, which has the potential for metabolic and, perhaps, other modalities. Consequently, there are those who state that, other than the imaging. Clinical electrocardiography is impor problems related to cardiac rhythm, electro tant not only as a diagnostic tool for it can truly cardiography as a discipline is passe. In addi give insight into the effect of the disease in question on the heart muscle itself. tion, although there is continued superb work in the basic science related to arrhythmias, only Therefore, it seemed now to be appropriate to a handful of scientists are interested in the bring together leaders in the various fields of myocardial source per se. And few scientists are electrocardiography with the only constraint interested in what happens to that myocardial being a concentration on newer concepts and electrical source on its trip from the endo ideas.