CV Anatomy modules 1-9 Flashcards
What is resting membrane potential of cardiac myocytes
-90 mV
How does potassium level affect resting membrane potential of the myocyte
hypokalemia = DECREASES RMP (more negative)
-Resistant to depolarization
HYPERkalemia = INCREASES RMP (less negative)
-Depolarizes easier
How much mitochondria do myocytes contain compared to skeletal myocytes
MORE mitochondria
What ion regulates resting membrane potential of myocyte
Potassium
What is the normal threshold potential of the myocyte
-70 mV
What ion regulates threshold potential
Calcium
How does calcium level affect threshold potential
HYPOcalcemia = DECREASE TP (more negative)
-Easier depolarization
HYPERcalcemia = INCREASES TP (less negative)
-Resistant to depolarization
-
How is depolarization transmitted in the heart
Via gap junctions (NOT t-tubules)
Define automaticity
The ability to generate an action potential spontaneously
Define excitability in relation to myocardial cells
The ability to respond to an electrical stimulus by depolarizing and firing an AP
Define resting membrane potential
The difference in electrical potential between the inside and outside of the cell
Define threshold potential
It’s the voltage change that must occur to initiate depolarization
Define depolarization
It’s the movement of a cell’s membrane potential to a more positive value
Define repolarization
It’s the return of a cell’s membrane potential towards a more negative value after depolarization
What is the role of the Na/K ATPase in excitable tissue
To restore the ionic balance towards resting membrane potential
What properties make cardiac myocytes unique
They have properties of both skeletal and neural tissue
NEURAL properties:
-generate a TMP
-propagate an AP
SKELETAL m properties:
-Contain contractile elements arranged in sarcomeres
What properties are unique to cardiac muscle
Myocytes are joined end-to-end by specialized junctional complexes called INTERCALATED DISC to form a functional syncytium
INtercalated discs transfer mechanical force and contain low resistance pathways (gap junctions)that spread the AP
Myocytes contain more mitochondria than skeletal muscle and consume more O2 at rest
How much O2 do cardiac myocytes consume at rest
8-10 mL O2/100 g/min
Is the equilibrium potential for each ion positive or negative in the ECF K Ca Na Cl
K = negative (-94) Ca = positive (+132) Na = positive (+60) Cl = negative (-97)
Inotropy definition
The force of myocardial contraction during systole
Chronotropy definition
heart rate
Dromotropy definition
conduction velocity through heart
Lusitropy
rate of myocardial relaxation during diastole
What 3 things determine the resting membrane potential
- Chemical force (concentration gradient)
- Electrostatic counterforce
- Na/K ATPase
The difference in these 2 values determine the ability of a cell to depolarize
Difference in RMP and TP
When is depolarization easier to achieve
When RMP is closer to TP
When is depolarization harder to achieve
When RMP is further from TP
What purpose does the Na/K ATPase serve in excitable tissue
Restoring ionic balance toward resting membrane potential
- By removing Na+ that enters the cell during depolarization
- Returns K+ that has left the cell during repolarization
What type of channel is the Na/K ATPase
An active transport channel requiring ATP for energy
How does severely elevated potassium affect the heart
It inactivates the Na+ channels and they arrest in their closed-inactive state
Cells are unable to repolarize
Describe the 5 phases of the myocyte action potential
Phase 0 = depolarization; Na+ in
Phase 1 = initial repolarization; Cl- in, K+ out
Phase 2 = plateau; Ca++ in, K+ out
Phase 3 = repolarization; K+ out
Phase 4 = maintenance of TMP; K+ out, Na/K-ATPase function
How does the cardiac myocyte AP differ from the neuron AP
The myocyte AP has a plateau phase where depolarization is prolonged
This allows for contraction
Which ions move across the cell membrane during phase 1 (initial repolarization) and how
Na+ channels inactivated
K+ out via Ito channels
Cl- in via Icl channels
Which ions move across the cell membrane during phase 2 (plateau) and how
Ca++ in, via slow voltage-gated Ca++ channels (Ica)
Na+ channels inactive state
K+ out
Which ions move across the cell membrane during phase 3 (final repolarization) and how
K+ out via delayed rectifiers (Ik)
Ca+ in briefly but slow Ca++ channels become deactivated
Which ions move across the cell membrane during phase 4 (resting phase) and how
K+ out via leak channels
Na+ removed, K+ replaced via Na/K-ATPase
Which ions move across the cell membrane during phase 0 (depolarization) and how
Na+ in via fast voltage-gated Na+ channels (Ina)
What makes up the cardiac conduction system, in order from start to finish
SA node -> internodal tracts -> AV node -> bundle of His -> left/right bundle branches -> Purkinje fibers
What determines the HR
The intrinsic firing of the SA node, the rate of phase 4 spontaneous depolarization, and autonomic tone
How does volatile anesthetics affect SA node automaticity
They depress automaticity explaining why junctional rhythms occur
Describe the SA/AV node AP (3 phases)
Phase 4 = spontaneous depolarization; Na+ in (I-f) Ca++ in (T-type)
Phase 0 = depolarization; Ca++ (L-type)
Phase 3 = repolarization; K+
How can we increase HR via the AP phases
Increase the rate of phase 4 spontaneous depolarization
Bring resting membrane potential and threshold potential closer together
Which ions move across the cell membrane during SA node phase 4 (spontaneous depolarization) and how
Na+ in, via I-f activated by hyperpolarization
Ca++ in, via T-type channels at -50 mV
Which ions move across the cell membrane during SA node phase 0 (depolarization) and how
Ca++ in, via voltage-gated L-type channels
Which ions move across the cell membrane during SA node phase 3 (repolarization) and how
K+ out, via open K+ channels and closing Ca++ L-type channels
What is the intrinsic firing rate (bpm) for each node
SA
AV
Purkinje fibers
SA = 70-80 AV = 40-60 Purkinje = 15-40
What CN provides PNS tone to the heart nodes
Vagus nerve (CN 10)- right innervates the SA node, left innervates the AV node
What spinal levels provide SNS tone to the heart
T1-T4 via cardiac accelerator fibers
What factors can increase heart rate via the AP
- The slope of phase 4 depolarization increases
- The TP becomes more negative and shortens the distance between RMP and TP
- The RMP becomes less negative and shortens the distance between RMP and TP
How is phase 4 slope of the SA node AP affected by SNS
The slope is INCREASED because norepinephrine stimulates beta-1 receptors thus increasing Na+ and Ca++ conductance