Invasive cardiac electrophysiology in the mouse: Techniques and applications

As the generic nature of a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases is bein g elucidated, it is increasingly important to understand the functional rol e of specific genes on cardiac arrhythmia and conduction disturbances. The progress made in molecular generics has allowed the creation of mice with t argeted gene overexpression or elimination. These animals ave valuable tool s for researchers who have adapted their clinical and technical skills to t he mouse, in order to extract information on the phenotypic consequences of the specific genetic disruption. In this review, we summarize the progress made in the field of invasive murine electrophysiology, focusing on the re cent technical advances in in vivo electrophysiologic testing and its appli cation to various genetically engineered mouse models. The authors' views o n the future needs and trends in the field ave also presented. (C) 2001 Els evier Science Inc.