Frequency analysis of ventricular fibrillation in Swine ventricles.

It has been suggested from frequency analysis that cardiac fibrillation is driven by stable intramural reentry, with wavebreak occurring due to failure of 1:1 propagation. We tested this hypothesis with a combined experimental and theoretical approach. Optical mapping was performed on epicardial, endocardial, and transmural cut surfaces of fibrillating swine ventricles.

Effects of amiodarone on wave front dynamics during ventricular fibrillation in isolated swine right ventricle.

The effects of acute amiodarone infusion on dynamics of ventricular fibrillation (VF) are unclear. Six isolated swine right ventricles (RVs) were studied in vitro. Activation patterns during VF were mapped optically, whereas action potentials were recorded with a glass microelectrode.

Regional intracoronary analgesia during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

The ischemic pain associated with balloon inflation during coronary angioplasty remains a significant source of procedural discomfort and sets a limit on the duration of percutaneous transluminal intravascular interventions. The present study examined whether intracoronary lidocaine reduced the pain of coronary angioplasty. Sixteen patients undergoing elective coronary angioplasty underwent three 90 sec balloon inflations: the first with administration of no intracoronary agent, and the second and third with administration of one or the other of placebo or an equal volume of lidocaine (10-16 mg).