Purkinje Fibers in Canine False Tendons: New Anatomical and Electrophysiological Findings.

Ming Liang,Yang Lv,Mingyu Sun,Qi Zhang,Xunzhang Wang,Jingjing Rong,Yi Li,Yanchun Liang,Guitang Yang,Junqi Wang,Sainan Li,Zulu Wang,Yaling Han,Yuji Zhang

doi:10.1155/2020/8156928

Abstract

Introduction Purkinje system and false tendons (FTs) are related to ventricular arrhythmia, but the association between Purkinje fibers and FTs is not clear. This study investigated the associations of anatomical and electrophysiological characteristics between Purkinje fibers and FTs. Methods and Results We optimized the protocol of Lugol's iodine solution staining of Purkinje fibers to study the anatomical structure and originated a novel electrophysiological mapping method, named the direct visual mapping (DVM) method, to study the electrophysiological characteristics. By using the above-mentioned innovations in 12 dogs, we found the following. (1) There was no Purkinje fiber found 0.5 cm–1.0 cm below the valve annulus or on the leaflets or chordae tendineae of the mitral valve or adjacent to the top 1/3 of the papillary muscle. (2) Purkinje fibers existed in all FTs, including smaller and tiny FTs. (3) The Purkinje fibers contained in the FTs extended from the proximal to the distal end, and their electrophysiological characteristics were similar to the fibers on the endocardium, including anterograde, retrograde, and decremental conduction and automaticity. Conclusions Purkinje fibers are commonly found in FTs. The electrophysiological characteristics of the Purkinje fibers contained in FTs are similar to the fibers on the endocardium. FTs might have an anatomical and electrophysiological basis for ventricular arrhythmia.

Highlights

Purkinje system and false tendons (FTs) are related to ventricular arrhythmia, but the association between Purkinje fibers and FTs is not clear. is study investigated the associations of anatomical and electrophysiological characteristics between Purkinje fibers and FTs
(2) Purkinje fibers existed in all FTs, including smaller and tiny FTs. (3) e Purkinje fibers contained in the FTs extended from the proximal to the distal end, and their electrophysiological characteristics were similar to the fibers on the endocardium, including anterograde, retrograde, and decremental conduction and automaticity
Purkinje fibers are commonly found in FTs. e electrophysiological characteristics of the Purkinje fibers contained in FTs are similar to the fibers on the endocardium

Summary

Introduction

Purkinje system and false tendons (FTs) are related to ventricular arrhythmia, but the association between Purkinje fibers and FTs is not clear. is study investigated the associations of anatomical and electrophysiological characteristics between Purkinje fibers and FTs. Purkinje system and false tendons (FTs) are related to ventricular arrhythmia, but the association between Purkinje fibers and FTs is not clear. Is study investigated the associations of anatomical and electrophysiological characteristics between Purkinje fibers and FTs. Methods and Results. (3) e Purkinje fibers contained in the FTs extended from the proximal to the distal end, and their electrophysiological characteristics were similar to the fibers on the endocardium, including anterograde, retrograde, and decremental conduction and automaticity. E false tendon (FT) is a common intraventricular anatomical variation It refers to a fibroid or fibromuscular structure that exists in the ventricle besides the normal connection of papillary muscle and mitral or tricuspid valve. Many clinical studies have shown that FTs are closely related to ventricular arrhythmias [4,5,6,7]. Is the existence of Purkinje fiber in FTs a coincidence or a common phenomenon? Whether these Purkinje fibers have electrical conduction properties and what roles these Purkinje fibers play in ventricular arrhythmias has not been well investigated

Materials and Methods

Results

Findings

Discussion