Microelectrode Study of Delayed Conduction in the Canine Right Bundle Branch

Abstract

The electrophysiology of conduction delay was investigated in the semi-isolated right bundle branch of 30 large mongrel dogs. Delay was produced by the external application of an electric blocking current to the bundle branch. Multiple recordings with glass capillary microelectrodes revealed two basic deflections associated with the delay phenomenon. An initial, or leading, deflection originated from the proximal or leading edge of the block and was rapidly transmitted through the block with progressive decay of voltage and rise velocity. A second, or trailing, deflection originated from the regenerative response at the distal or trailing edge of the block and was rapidly transmitted retrograde into the block, with progressive decay of voltage and rise velocity. The transmitted potentials appeared to be electrotonic in nature. The leading deflection appeared to be the transmitted event which maintained a conduction ratio of 1:1 through the block. The magnitude of delay was then related to the time required for this deflection to reach the threshold potential and initiate a regenerative response in the trailing portion of the block where the cells were less affected by the blocking current.