A new system design for transmural directly coupled (DC) cardiac mapping in vivo

Improved methods for assessing three-dimensional distributions and rapid temporal changes of activation, repolarization, and systolic and diastolic potentials in extracellular unipolar electrogram recordings would enhance studies of arrhythmogenesis. To assess all these parameters requires directly coupled (DC) mapping techniques. DC coupling offers further advantages in its rapid response characteristics to high-energy defibrillatory impulses. A system has been developed that utilizes DC unipolar transmural recording electrodes coupled to appropriate processing, analog-to-digital conversion, and digital storage of 384 channels simultaneously for up to 60 minutes. This 3.5-Gbyte data stream is then rapidly processed using high-resolution digital displays and interactive graphics software with three-dimensional data presentation.<>