Body Surface Potential Mapping during Ventricular Depolarization in Rats after Acute Exhaustive Exercise

Exhaustive physical exercise can cause substantial changes in the electrical properties of the myocardium. To evaluate, using body surface potential mapping, the electrical activity of the heart in rats during ventricular depolarization after acute exhaustive exercise. Twelve-week-old male rats were submitted to acute treadmill exercise at 36 m/min until exhaustion. Unipolar electrocardiograms (ECGs) from the torso surface were recorded in zoletil-anesthetized rats three to five days before (Pre-Ex), 5 and 10 minutes after exhaustive exercise (Post-Ex 5 and Post-Ex 10, respectively) simultaneously with ECGs in limb leads. The instantaneous body surface potential maps (BSPMs) were analyzed during ventricular depolarization. P values