Molecular tools to visualize and target the cardiac conduction system (CCS)

A method for visualizing in real time cardiac conduction system (CCS) in a subject undergoing cardiothoracic surgery or catheter procedure, the method comprising:

• a) administering topically, intravenously or intracoronary or by preoperative infusion to the subject a composition comprising one or more excipients and an antibody conjugated directly to a detection agent which comprises a fluorophore, wherein the antibody has a specific binding affinity to Neurotrimin, Neuroplastin or Contactin 2 displayed on a CCS cell, and wherein subsequent to the administration, the antibody conjugate binds to the CCS cell;
• and
• b) illuminating the subject's heart and thereby visualizing the bound antibody conjugate in the subject while the subject is undergoing the cardiothoracic surgery or catheter procedure.