ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Cardiac potentials
;
membrane currents
;
heart
;
cell coupling
;
heart
;
electrophysiology
;
heart
;
ion flux
;
heart
;
active transport
;
pacemaker
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The time-course of the cardiac action potential can be accounted for in terms of ionic currents crossing the cell membranes. Depolarizing current is carried by Na+ or Ca2+ entering the cells, repolarizing current by K+ leaving the cells. Membrane permeability for the passive movement of these ions is thought to be voltage-dependent as well as time-dependent. Net transfer of charge may also result from active transport, 2 Na+ out against 1 K+ in; or coupled exchange, 3 or 4 Na+ in against 1 Ca2+ out. This review follows the path by which present-day knowledge has been reached. It also gives a few examples to illustrate that electrophysiology has provided concepts useful to clinical cardiology.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01942831
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