Chapter 90 – Monophasic Action Potential Recording

Recording of monophasic action potentials (MAPs) by contact electrode catheter can be used easily and safely in the human heart. In contrast to electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings and standard myocardial surface electrograms, which produce a summative or derivative view of the heart's electrical activity, MAP recordings provide local information about the actual cellular depolarization and repolarization process of myocardial tissue. By giving the clinical investigator a more direct view of human myocardial electrophysiology in situ , both in normal and disease states, MAP recordings provide an important bridge between cellular and bedside electrophysiology. This chapter discusses the methodology and selected, clinically pertinent applications of MAP recordings.