The measurement of impedance to assess myocardial contractility and rhythm stability

Abstract

By introducing an alternating current through the ventricular cavity via a multipolar catheter the potential difference measured between adjacent electrodes can be used to assess ventricular volume. This is possible by the measurement of intracardiac impedance. The data obtained can be used to construct pressure-volume loops allowing the continuous real-time assessment of myocardial contractility. Clinical applications of this research tool are now becoming apparent. Further derivations of impedance measurement have been incorporated into commercially available permanent pacing systems, allowing effective heart rate modulation.

Termination of Reentry by a Long‐Lasting AC Shock in a Slice of Canine Heart: A Computational Study

“…Alternating current (AC) elds are widely used in cardiac research. A study by Arthur et al 1 demonstrated that delivery of AC stimulus through intraventricular catheters can determine ventricular volume, and thus assess myocardial contractility in vivo. Warren et al 2 measured myocardial impedance using AC elds to determine areas within the myocardial wall that had healed following damage due to an infarction.…”

A Retrospective Observational Study of the Association Between Plasma Levels of Interleukin 8 in 42 Patients with Sepsis-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction at a Single Center Between 2017 and 2020

“…A meta-analysis of 1247 patients showed there was no association between LVEF and septic shock mortality [ 32 ]. The left ventricular pressure-volume conductivity catheter provides another method to measure real-time cardiac function, making the quantitative measurement of systolic and diastolic function correspond more to the criterion standard; however, the significance of this method to SIMD needs further verification [ 33 ]. Serum cardiac biomarkers could provide independent information related to cardiac function.…”