Myocardial contractility assessed by dynamic electrical impedance measurements during dobutamine stress

In this study, the electrical impedance of myocardial tissue is measured dynamically during the cardial cycle. The multisine-based approach used to perform electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements allows acquiring complete spectral impedance information of the tissue dynamics during contraction. Measurements are performed in situ in the left ventricule of swines during contractility stress tests induced by dobutamine infusion. Additionally, the ECG and the left ventricular (LV) pressure are also acquired synchronously to the impedance signals. The calculated impedance magnitude exhibits a periodic behavior during tissue contraction. The amplitude (peak-to-peak) of this signal is quantified and the compared to the maximum first derivative of the LV pressure (dP/dt_max) that is used as an indicator of contractility variations. The results show a linear correlation between impedance amplitude and dP/dt_max during dobutamine-increased contractility. The present work demonstrates how fast EIS measurements during heart contraction can represent a feasible method to assess changes in myocardial contractility.