Abstract: Objective To explore a minimally invasive technique for electrophysiological examination and arrhythmia model by using rabbits. Methods After general anesthesia, rabbit's jugular vein was isolated. The tip of multipolar electrode was inserted slowly to the right atrium or right ventricle. Also rabbit's carotid artery was isolated, and 5 F arterial sheath was inserted in the isolated artery by using Seldinger's method. The tip of multipolar electrode was send to the left ventricle through the arterial sheath. The multipolar electrode was connected with the cardiac stimulation system and chest lead of electrocardiogram (ECG). The location of the tip of multipolar electrode can be detected by the endocardial and pacing ECG. After determining the threshold of stimulation for pacing, the electrodes were fixed, and electrophysiological program stimulation was performed. Arrhythmias can also be induced by electrophysiological program stimulation. Results Twenty rabbits were used in the study. The tip of multipolar electrode can be placed easily into the desirable place in the heart. A wave and V wave can be shown in the ECG clearly. The tip of multipolar electrode can be replaced to the desirable place according to the electrocardiogram signal of cardiac pacing without the help of X-ray. Through atrial stimulation program, it can be used to study the sinus-node recovery time, atrial refractory period, and forward conduction function of atrioventricular node. Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter can be induced by atrial stimulation. Combination with the intravenous of acetylcholine, the induction rate of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter can reach over 95%. Through ventricular stimulation program, the ventricular refractory period and atrioventricular junction reverse transmission function can be studied. Ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation can be induced by ventricular stimulation as well. Combination with the intravenous of isopropyl, the induction rate of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation can reach over 90%. Conclusions Our newly established minimally invasive technique can be used for electrophysiological examination and arrhythmia model in rabbits without the help of X-ray.

Key words: Electrophysiological examination, Animal Model, Rabbit, Minimally invasive