Optical stimulation enables paced electrophysiological studies in embryonic hearts
Yves T Wang, Shi Gu, Pei Ma, Michiko Watanabe, Andrew M Rollins, Michael W Jenkins, Yves T Wang, Shi Gu, Pei Ma, Michiko Watanabe, Andrew M Rollins, Michael W Jenkins
Abstract
Cardiac electrophysiology plays a critical role in the development and function of the heart. Studies of early embryonic electrical activity have lacked a viable point stimulation technique to pace in vitro samples. Here, optical pacing by high-precision infrared stimulation is used to pace excised embryonic hearts, allowing electrophysiological parameters to be quantified during pacing at varying rates with optical mapping. Combined optical pacing and optical mapping enables electrophysiological studies in embryos under more physiological conditions and at varying heart rates, allowing detection of abnormal conduction and comparisons between normal and pathological electrical activity during development in various models.
Keywords: (120.3890) Medical optics instrumentation; (140.3460) Lasers; (140.6810) Thermal effects; (170.2520) Fluorescence microscopy.
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Source: PubMed