Document Detail


A combined electrophysiological and anatomical study of the human fetal heart.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  1266712     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Five human fetal hearts of gestational ages ranging from 12 to 16 weeks were studied with both electrophysiological and anatomical techniques. The electrophysiological behavior of these hearts was comparable with results obtained with other animal species and adult human hearts. This indicates that the fetal heart is functionally mature from an early stage of development; however the tissues are not fully differentiated from an anatomical standpoint. Results of mapping experiments indicated that atrial activation occurred through broad wave fronts, and no electrophysiological evidence was found to support the concept of "specialized internodal conduction." In two hearts, the node and bundle were found to be anatomical contiguity with ventricular myocardium throughout their length, but the conducting tissues were already functionally insulated from the ventricles. The results have significance with regard to concepts of the "sudden death in infancy syndrome" and ventricular pre-excitation.
Authors:
M K Janse; R H Anderson; F J van Capelle; D Durrer
Publication Detail:
Type:  In Vitro; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  American heart journal     Volume:  91     ISSN:  0002-8703     ISO Abbreviation:  Am. Heart J.     Publication Date:  1976 May 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1976-07-06     Completed Date:  1976-07-06     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370465     Medline TA:  Am Heart J     Country:  UNITED STATES    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  556-62     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Action Potentials
Female
Fetal Heart* / anatomy & histology,  physiology
Heart Conduction System / physiology
Humans
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, First
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Refractory Period, Electrophysiological

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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