Basic Concepts of Optical Mapping Techniques in Cardiac Electrophysiology

Abstract

Optical mapping is a tool used in cardiac electrophysiology to study the heart's normal rhythm and arrhythmias. The optical mapping technique provides a unique opportunity to obtain membrane potential recordings with a higher temporal and spatial resolution than electrical mapping. Additionally, it allows simultaneous recording of membrane potential and calcium transients in the whole heart. This article presents the basic concepts of optical mapping techniques as an introduction for students and investigators in experimental laboratories unfamiliar with it.

Genetically encoded bioluminescent voltage indicator for multi-purpose use in wide range of bioimaging

“…Another conceivable advantage of bioluminescent proteins is high serviceability in ex and in vivo experiments because of negligible background noise from the tissue 22 38 . Thus, LOTUS-V might allow optical mapping of the whole heart 39 , which could be combined with the techniques described in this study, such as bidirectional optical manipulation and long-term observation using perfusion systems. Since LOTUS-V is genetically encoded it may be possible to restrict it to distinct cell populations within the heart expanding the possibility of optical recording with voltage indicators and contribute to the understanding of complicated biological systems like the heart.…”

CaMKII-dependent late Na+current increases electrical dispersion and arrhythmia in ischemia-reperfusion

“…Images were taken to ensure that the dye reached the extremity tissues of the organ. The fast voltage-sensitive dye was chosen based on previous work showing a good signal-to-noise ratio, negligible light interference, and reduced autofluorescence signals (which contribute to inaccurate readings) (5). Global ischemia was induced by stopping perfusion for 15 min; the heart was then reperfused with Tyrode solution for the remainder of the experiment.…”

Concurrent micro- to macro-cardiac electrophysiology in myocyte cultures and human heart slices

“…In contrast, optical mapping of transmembrane voltage is an electrophysiological technique used to study cellular action potentials (AP) with high spatiotemporal resolution after staining cardiac myocytes or the whole heart 18 with voltage-sensitive dyes 19 . It gives the ability to measure both activation and repolarisation times from individual and multiple sites 19 .…”

“…In contrast, optical mapping of transmembrane voltage is an electrophysiological technique used to study cellular action potentials (AP) with high spatiotemporal resolution after staining cardiac myocytes or the whole heart 18 with voltage-sensitive dyes 19 . It gives the ability to measure both activation and repolarisation times from individual and multiple sites 19 . Optical mapping was developed as a technology to facilitate the investigation of APs in systems where the use of microelectrodes was not convenient or possible, due to scale, topology or complexity reasons 18 and does not require complex technical skills associated with traditional electrophysiological techniques.…”