Ventricular stimulus site influences dynamic dispersion of repolarization in the intact human heart

The spatial variation in restitution properties in relation to varying stimulus site is poorly defined. This study aimed to investigate the effect of varying stimulus site on apicobasal and transmural activation time (AT), action potential duration (APD) and repolarization time (RT) during restitution studies in the intact human heart. Ten patients with structurally normal hearts, undergoing clinical electrophysiology studies, were enrolled. Decapolar catheters were placed apex to base in the endocardial right ventricle (RV(endo)) and left ventricle (LV(endo)), and an LV branch of the coronary sinus (LV(epi)) for transmural recording. S1–S2 restitution protocols were performed pacing RV(endo) apex, LV(endo) base, and LV(epi) base. Overall, 725 restitution curves were analyzed, 74% of slopes had a maximum slope of activation recovery interval (ARI) restitution (S(max)) > 1 (P < 0.001); mean S(max) = 1.76. APD was shorter in the LV(epi) compared with LV(endo), regardless of pacing site (30-ms difference during RV(endo) pacing, 25-ms during LV(endo), and 48-ms during LV(epi); 50th quantile, P < 0.01). Basal LV(epi) pacing resulted in a significant transmural gradient of RT (77 ms, 50th quantile: P < 0.01), due to loss of negative transmural AT-APD coupling (mean slope 0.63 ± 0.3). No significant transmural gradient in RT was demonstrated during endocardial RV or LV pacing, with preserved negative transmural AT-APD coupling (mean slope −1.36 ± 1.9 and −0.71 ± 0.4, respectively). Steep ARI restitution slopes predominate in the normal ventricle and dynamic ARI; RT gradients exist that are modulated by the site of activation. Epicardial stimulation to initiate ventricular activation promotes significant transmural gradients of repolarization that could be proarrhythmic.