Cardiac Electrophysiology Flashcards
how does the action potential of nodal cells differ from that of myocytes
greater resting potential (not as negative- much less hyperpolerization), baseline is drifting (not stable), no fast inward current (no voltage gated sodium channels- slower rate of rise), no plateu phase
Which phase is absent in nodal cell action potentials
No phase 2 (also have a very slow phase 0)
Components of the membrane clock
1.) Calcium current (L and T type channels) 2.) Potassium current 3.) Funny current (pacemaker current) 4.) Electrogenic transporters (INCX and NaKATPase)
what is the pacemaker current and what is its major role
Funny current - Mixed Na and K inward current - protects against hyperpolarization and prevents excessive bradycardia
dual activation of funny channels
1.) Hyperpolarization 2.) Cyclic nucleotides (cAMP)
at what voltage do funny channels activate
activates at - 55
describe the relationship between funny current and membrane potential
the more negative the membrane potential the greater the current
what is MDP
Maximum diastolic pressure aprox -60 mV in the SA node
Phase 4 of nodal action potential
Diastolic depolarization - carried out by funny current leading to threshold . Gradual increase in Na influx through Na channels. T-type Ca open to bring the membrane to threshold which leads to opening of L-type Ca channels
Calcium Clock
generation of calcium “sparks” - occur spontaneously and at a slowly increasing rate that peaks at the onset of action potential
Calcium “sparks”
intracellular releases of Ca from SR duriing diastole - local calcium release = ticking of the clock (critical for automaticity) NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR EXCITATION COUPLING
what links the clocks of pacemaker cells
Na Ca exchanger - gets activated by local calcium release
Keys to automaticity
1.) Calcium sparks 2.) Na Ca exchanger (INCX) 3.) Andenylate cyclase (high phosphorylation state)
Role of adenylate cyclase
induced by calcium and results in high phosphorylation state of nodal cells - critical for pacemaker function and control (favors calcium reuptake and release)
Ryanodine channels
regulate the release of calcium- rate of release is regulated by the phosphorylation state of ryanodine
SERCA
regulates the reuptake of Ca. Activity determined by the balance between P-Phospholambam and Phospholambam (more P-Phospholambam = more reuptake and faster relaxation)
Phospholamban
inhibits SERCA and therfore Ca reuptake
lusitrophy
refers to myocardial relaxation (uptake of Ca by SERCA is positive lusitropic effect)
Phase 0 of nodal cell action potentials
depolarizing current carried mainly by Ca channels ( Ca influx) in response to membrane depolarization
Phase 3 of nodal cell action potentials
decreased Ca influx and increased K influx responsible for depolarization
why is the plateau phase missing in nodal cell action potentials
significantly greater It01 in pacemakers than in myocytes which rapidly overcomes inward Ca current and leads straight to phase 3