Beta-Adrenergic Modulation of Heart Rate:Contribution of the Slow Delayed Rectifier K+ Current (IKs)

Ronald Wilders, Maaike Hoekstra, Antoni C. G. van Ginneken, Arie O. Verkerk

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Abstract

To assess the role of the slow delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs) in the β-adrenergic modulation of heart rate, we experimentally determined the effect of β adrenergic stimulation on IKs and used the thus obtained data in computer simulations of SA nodal pacemaker activity, employing the mathematical model of a primary rabbit SA node pacemaker cell by Kurata and coworkers. Incorporation of our experimental findings into the SA nodal cell model resulted in a 12 ms decrease in cycle length. This decrease in cycle length is similar to the 13 ms decrease observed upon incorporation of our experimental data on the effect of β-adrenergic stimulation on the hyperpolarization-activated funny current' (If), also known as 'pacemaker current'. We conclude that IKs is an important contributor to the β-adrenergic modulation of heart rate
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)629-631
JournalComputing in cardiology
Volume37
Issue number37
Publication statusPublished - 2010

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