Monophasic Action Potentials Bridging Cell and Bedside

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.

This work’s detailed overview of MAP techniques highlights:

1. how to use the technique properly in patients to obtain high–quality signals and avoid artifacts
   
2. how to use computers for automated analyses of the MAP signals
   
3. a thorough evaluation of the basic theory underlying the genesis of the monophasic action potential signal
   
4. direct comparison, in an intact heart, of the direct myocardial action potential with the body surface ECG
   
5. the limitations and possible new frontiers of this technique

Along with new techniques, such as single–catheter MAP recording, chapters feature new understandings about heart rate, antiarrhythmic drugs, mechanoelectrical feedback, dispersion of ventricular repolarization, detection of arrhythmia triggers, ventricular fibrillation, and antiarrhythmic device–related uses of MAP recordings.