Multielectrode array technique as an effective tool for studying cardiac electrophysiology and its changes in pathology: problematic aspects of analysis
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| Year of publication | 2025 |
| Type | Appeared in Conference without Proceedings |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
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| Description | The microelectrode array (MEA) is an easy, high-throughput method, ideal for obtaining a large amount of data from excitable cells, including cardiomyocytes. In connection with cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells, it represents a valuable tool for translational research and personalized medicine, both related to cardiac pathology and drug effects. In this study, we focused on problematic aspects of MEA recording and analysis. By examining more than 120 original articles using MEA and any cardiac preparation, we detected an inconsistency in the acquisition setting. It is striking that only one-third of the studies provided complete information about the filtering of the signal. We investigated how the filtering may alter the MEA signal and the evaluation of the field potential duration (FPD), a parameter analogous to the QT interval on ECG. Based on the analysis, we recommend using the high-pass filter as low as possible, because even the frequently used 1-Hz filter may substantially distort the data and FPD value. We also studied the impact of the correction of FPD on the cycle length (CL), resulting in FPDc values, for which the standard correction formulas used in clinical practice, namely Bazett´s and Fridericia´s formulas, are usually used in MEA studies. The data demonstrated that such correction without the proof of proportionality between FPD and CL may considerably alter the resulting FPDc values and should be avoided. The performed analysis emphasizes a thorough inspection of both the ‘raw’ and filtered signals to estimate proper FPD values, as well as a careful determination of the relationship between FPD and CL before using any correction formula. |
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