Visualization of the conduction system of heart by fluorescence spectroscopy

Abstract

Fluorescence measurements have been employed for the spectroscopic characterization of heart tissues. Excitation at the absorption band of the aromatic amino acids allows good differentiation between tissues of the bundle of His and those of myocardium when the ratios of the fluorescence intensities measured at 340 nm to those at 450 nm are compared. Several fluorophores with overlapping fluorescence bands are responsible for autofluorescence of heart tissues in the spectral range from 350 to 550 nm. The tissues of the bundle of His and myocardium are distinguishable by fluorescence intensity under excitation in the UVA spectral region. The best conditions are ensured by the excitation range of 360–390 nm and by recording of the fluorescence signal in the 440–480 nm spectral range.