Optical Mapping.

Optical mapping of electrical activity in the heart is based on voltage-sensitive and lipophilic fluorescence dyes. Optical signals recorded from cardiac cells correlate well with their transmembrane potentials. High spatiotemporal resolution, wide field mapping, and high sensitivity to transmembrane potential enable detailed characterization of action potential initiation and propagation. Optical mapping is used to study complex patterns of excitation propagation, including propagation across the sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes and during atrial and ventricular arrhythmias.Optical mapping is used to study the role of reentrant activity in atrial and ventricular fibrillation.