TY - JOUR
T1 - Modulation of propagation from an ectopic focus by electrical load and by extracellular potassium
AU - Wagner, M. B.
AU - Golod, D.
AU - Wilders, R.
AU - Verheijck, E. E.
AU - Joyner, R. W.
AU - Kumar, R.
AU - Jongsma, H. J.
AU - van Ginneken, A. C.
AU - Goolsby, W. N.
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - We previously developed a technique (R. Kumar, R. Wilders, R. W. Joyner, H. J. Jongsma, E. E. Verheijck, D. A. Golod, A. C. G. van Ginneken, and W. N. Goolsby. Circulation 94: 833-841, 1996) for study of a mathematical model cell with spontaneous activity, viz. a "real-time" simulation of a rabbit sinoatrial node cell (SAN model cell; R. Wilders, H. J. Jongsma, and A. C. van Ginneken. Biophys. J. 60: 1202-1216, 1991) simultaneously being electrically coupled via our "coupling clamp" [H. Sugiura and R. W. Joyner. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 32): H1591-H1604, 1992] circuit to a real, isolated ventricular myocyte. We now apply this technique to investigate effects of coupling conductance (Gc), cell size, and the modulation of membrane potential by elevated extracellular potassium concentration on the ability of an ectopic focus, represented by the SAN model cell, to successfully drive a ventricular cell. Values of Gc and the relative sizes of the two cells define three possible outcomes: 1) spontaneous pacing of the SAN model cell but not driving of the ventricular cell, 2) cessation of spontaneous pacing, or 3) pacing of the SAN model cell and driving of the ventricular cell. Below a critical size of the SAN model cell only the first two of these outcomes is possible. Above this critical size there is a range of Gc that allows successful operation of the system as an ectopic focus. Elevation of extracellular potassium concentration from 4 to 8 mM increases both the lower bound and upper bound of Gc for this range. Elevation of extracellular potassium concentration, as commonly observed in myocardial ischemia, may have effects on either inhibiting or releasing from inhibition an ectopic focus
AB - We previously developed a technique (R. Kumar, R. Wilders, R. W. Joyner, H. J. Jongsma, E. E. Verheijck, D. A. Golod, A. C. G. van Ginneken, and W. N. Goolsby. Circulation 94: 833-841, 1996) for study of a mathematical model cell with spontaneous activity, viz. a "real-time" simulation of a rabbit sinoatrial node cell (SAN model cell; R. Wilders, H. J. Jongsma, and A. C. van Ginneken. Biophys. J. 60: 1202-1216, 1991) simultaneously being electrically coupled via our "coupling clamp" [H. Sugiura and R. W. Joyner. Am. J. Physiol. 263 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 32): H1591-H1604, 1992] circuit to a real, isolated ventricular myocyte. We now apply this technique to investigate effects of coupling conductance (Gc), cell size, and the modulation of membrane potential by elevated extracellular potassium concentration on the ability of an ectopic focus, represented by the SAN model cell, to successfully drive a ventricular cell. Values of Gc and the relative sizes of the two cells define three possible outcomes: 1) spontaneous pacing of the SAN model cell but not driving of the ventricular cell, 2) cessation of spontaneous pacing, or 3) pacing of the SAN model cell and driving of the ventricular cell. Below a critical size of the SAN model cell only the first two of these outcomes is possible. Above this critical size there is a range of Gc that allows successful operation of the system as an ectopic focus. Elevation of extracellular potassium concentration from 4 to 8 mM increases both the lower bound and upper bound of Gc for this range. Elevation of extracellular potassium concentration, as commonly observed in myocardial ischemia, may have effects on either inhibiting or releasing from inhibition an ectopic focus
M3 - Article
C2 - 9139960
SN - 0002-9513
VL - 272
SP - H1759-H1769
JO - American Journal of Physiology
JF - American Journal of Physiology
IS - 4 Part 2
ER -