Estimation of myocardial conduction velocity using a coronary sinus catheter

Abstract

This paper deals with the measurement of theconduction velocity of the depolarization wave through the atrialmyocardium. With the increasing number of electrophysiologicalprocedures performed on people suffering from cardiac arrhythmias,the number of relapses is gradually rising. A reliable toolto predict these relapses is still being sought. One parameter forprediction could be the conduction velocity of the depolarizationwave, which could reflect the degree of myocardial damage.Data from pediatric patients were used to measure it.With knowledge of the electrode placement on the intracardiaccatheter and detection of atrial activity in the measured leads,the average myocardial conduction velocity along the catheterwas calculated (v = 143.77 ± 21.08 cm/s).This method brings simplicity and time saving to the wholeprocess of measuring line speed. The results of this method shouldalso be tested on an adult population where relevant models existfor comparison.