Epicardial mapping in the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.

Abstract

Epicardial mapping in humans provides a method for defining antegrade and retrograde sites of pre-excitation. It is best undertaken only after a careful, detailed preoperative electrophysiological study is performed. The potential pitfalls of the technique are many and technical expertise must be constantly available to maintain a functioning system. For these reasons, it is not likely to lend itself to widespread application. The same techniques can be applied to localization of the site of origin of atrial or ventricular dysrhythmias, localization of myocardial ischemia and infarction and to differentiate between epicardial delays due to conduction delay and those caused by intramural myocardial delay.