Electrophysiology of the Heart Flashcards
3 Muscles of the Heart
- Atrial Muscles2. Ventricular Muscles3. Conductive Muscle Fibers
Intercalated Discs
Connection of heart muscle cells
Desmosomes
Structural element that combines them
Gap Junctions
Ion channels that allow ions to move freely between cells, allowing electrical impulse
Contractile Cells
- Compose most of the heart2. Contract when stimulated
Auto-rhythmic Cells
- Comprise the conducting system2. Self-stimulating and can contract/depolarize without external stimulus
Fast Response Cells
- Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes2. Purkinje Fibers
Examples of Slow Response Cells
- SA Node2. AV Node
Resting Membrane Potential
-80-90mV Interior Negative
Phase 0
- Higher K insid ethe cell- Sudden opening of fast and slow Na+ channels- Rise in Na+ permeability- Drop in K+ permeability
Tetrodotoxin
Blocks Na+ Channels
Phase 1 (Also called?)Blocked by?
Repolarization- K+ channels open- Primarily caused by closing of Na+ ion channels and opening of K+ ion channelsBlocked by 4-aminopyridine
Phase 2 Activators and Blockers
A: Catecholamines: Increase ECF-Ca2+ ConcentrationB: Ca2+ Antagonists and Mn2+
Phase 2 (Or?)1. What changes to voltage?2. What channels are open?3. What’s happening?
Plateau Phase1. Voltage is constant2. Ca2+ channels are open (Some K+ leaking out, causing balance)3. Prolongs duration of contraction, prevent overstimulation
Phase 3 (Or?)What channels are open?
Genesis/Final RepolarizationOnly K
Phase 4 (Or?)1. What is working in this stage?2. What happens to Ca2+?
Rest Phase
- Na-K ATPase pump works to remove Na+ and returns K+
- Ca2+ exchanged for Na+
Major Differences of Skeletal and Cardiac Muscles?
- Presence of both fast Na+ and slow Ca2+ channels in Cardiac Muscles2. Decreased K+ channel permeability after action potential: Prevents premature return to resting levels
Absolute Refractory Period
Cannot be stimulated no matter what
Effective Refractory Period
Can only be stimulated by a larger than normal stimulus
Only a local response can be produced
No action potential generated
Relative Refractory Period
Action Potential can only be stimulated by a larger than normal stimulus
Supernormal Period
More excitable than normal; ala a weaker stimulus can cause depolarization