Living myocardial slices: Advancing arrhythmia research

Jorik H Amesz; Lu Zhang; Bian R Everts; Natasja M S De Groot; Yannick J H J Taverne

doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1076261

Living myocardial slices: Advancing arrhythmia research

Front Physiol. 2023 Jan 13:14:1076261. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1076261. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jorik H Amesz^{1

2}, Lu Zhang², Bian R Everts¹, Natasja M S De Groot², Yannick J H J Taverne¹

Affiliations

¹ Translational Cardiothoracic Surgery Research Lab, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
² Translational Electrophysiology, Lowlands Institute for Bioelectric Medicine, Department of Cardiology, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Abstract

Living myocardial slices (LMS) are ultrathin (150-400 µm) sections of intact myocardium that can be used as a comprehensive model for cardiac arrhythmia research. The recent introduction of biomimetic electromechanical cultivation chambers enables long-term cultivation and easy control of living myocardial slices culture conditions. The aim of this review is to present the potential of this biomimetic interface using living myocardial slices in electrophysiological studies outlining advantages, disadvantages and future perspectives of the model. Furthermore, different electrophysiological techniques and their application on living myocardial slices will be discussed. The developments of living myocardial slices in electrophysiology research will hopefully lead to future breakthroughs in the understanding of cardiac arrhythmia mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutic options.

Keywords: 3D cardiac models; cardiac arrhythmia models; in-vitro electrophysiology; living myocardial slices; translational research.

Publication types

Review