Apparatus and method for recording monophasic action potentials from an in vivo heart

摘要

The apparatus comprises a probe having a tip portion, a first electrode mounted on a terminal free end of the tip portion and a second electrode spaced along the tip portion from the first electrode for supplying a reference potential. The probe is constructed so as to hold the first electrode in contact with tissue of an in vivo beating heart with a positive pressure without causing macroscopic damage to the heart tissue while orienting the probe such that the second electrode is spaced from the heart tissue. According to the method of the present invention, a plurality of monophasic action potentials can be obtained using the apparatus of the invention. The monophasic action potentials are used to identify abnormal heart areas, such as ischemic areas.