Dynamic properties of myocyte geometry during the contractile process by high speed image processing

Time-dependent changes in the three-dimensional structure of the cardiac myocyte during the contractile process, particularly with the development of cardiac disease, remain unexplored. Accordingly, the goals of the present study were twofold: first, to-develop and validate a computer assisted high speed image processing (CAHSIP) system in order to directly quantitate dynamic properties of isolated cardiac myocyte geometry during contraction, and second, to use the CAHSIP system in order to determine the spatial characteristics of the myocyte contractile process in normal myocytes and following the development of dilated cardiomyopathy. A highly linear and significant relationship was observed between the CAHSIP system and conventional edge detection methods (r/sup 2/>0.92; p<0.01). Using the CAHSIP system, it was found that dynamic changes in myocyte width and profile surface area were uniquely altered with the development of cardiomyopathic disease. With the development of dilated cardiomyopathy, a 33% increase in myocyte resting area occurred, with no difference in the rate of area change with contraction compared to control. Therefore, the present study developed a system by which unique insights into the dynamic properties of the myocyte contractile process can be explored.