Since its emergence in the late 20th century

optical mapping has gradually become an important technique in cardiac electrophysiological research. This was mainly due to the continuous development of fluorescence probe technology and high-resolution sampling technology

as well as the fact that single-cell and whole-body electrophysiological techniques could no longer meet current research needs. Optical mapping has the characteristics of high spatiotemporal resolution

a wide sampling area

and small damage

which can visually and dynamically display the changes in the overall electrical conduction and calcium processing dynamics of the heart

playing an important role in the study of cardiac electrophysiology and the mechanism of arrhythmia. The basic principle of optical mapping is to perfuse voltage-sensitive and calcium-sensitive dyes into various cells of the heart and use two fluorescent probes to capture and filter emitted light

allowing the acquisition system to simultaneously obtain high-throughput data on transmembrane potential and calcium transients. Through subsequent data analysis

multiple electrophysiological parameters of action potentials and calcium transients

as well as their coupling relationships

can be obtained to clarify the electrophysiological properties of disease models or drug interventions

thereby revealing the mechanism of arrhythmia and screening anti-arrhythmic drugs. This review aimed to introduce the optical mapping technique and its data analysis and application in common disease models

providing technical reference for the study of antiarrhythmic drugs and the underlying mechanisms of arrhythmias.