Heart Flashcards
Where does the AP in the heart start?
In the SA node
What does the AV node ensure?
That the atrium contracts first
How are the muscle cells connected?
Gap junctions (electrical synapses) at the intercalated disc
What ion channels are responsible for the APs in the SA and AV nodes?
I_K (outward), I_f (inward) and I_Ca (inward)
Describe how the ion channelsare involved in the AP.
I_f open when the Vm is hyperpolarized –> Na+ influx –> Vm depolarizes –> I_f close, I_Ca open –> Vm hyperpolarizes slowly (plateau) –> I_K open –> K+ efflux –> Vm hyperpolarizes quickly
How does the para- and sympathetic systems work on the heart?
On I_f channels
Sym: more I_f are activated –> quicker depolarization –> increase in heartrate
Para: Vm needs to be hyperpolarized more before I_f opens –> slower depolarization –> decrease in heartrate
What other channels are important for the regulation of the heart rythm?
Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels:
Activated by [cAMP] increase stimulated by 5-HT, ANP and NA, and inhibited by ACh and ADO
What are the frequencies of APs in the SA-, AV-node and in the purkinje fibers ventricular myocyte, and which dominates?
SA: 60-100
AV: 40-60
PFVM: 20-40
Higher frequency always win
How does the para- and sympathetic systems work on the nodes and the contraction?
Sym: works on both the nodes (increase pace) and the contraction (indirectly increase contractilty)
Para: works only on the nodes (decreases the pace)
Describe how the sympathetic system influences the contraction of the heart.
Sym stimulates troponin C release, which increases the Ca2+ sensitivity. Also increases [Ca2+]i.
Frank Starlings law: The longer apart the muscle fibers are the more sensitive to Ca2+ (–> increases the energy of contraction)
What is an ECG?
Electrocardiogram, a summation of the different ion fluxes: PQRST - P = atrial depolarization, Q-T = ventricular depolarization-repolarization
What can an ECG be used for?
Determining if there are any clogs in the heart (where it is), or if the pacemaker cells are functional
Disorders of impulse formation, and disorders of impulse conduction can be determined
How is the direction of de- and repolarization determined?
If the P and T are positive: moving toward positive electrode
P and T are negative: moving away from positive electrode
What are some common causes of arrythmias?
Normal, not dangerous: Inhalation –> heart beat increases a bit, exhale –> heart beat decreases a bit
Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome: The signal travels in a loop from the AV-node to the rest of the heart, but not SA node => not regulated
Myocardial infarction: damaged cells –> blocked conduction –> elevation of ST segment (can create an ectopic pacemaker by creating a loop)
What causes the heart to contract in different directions?
The direction of the fibers