What are the properties of cardiac fibers?
rhythmicity, excitability, conductivity and contractility
What is the definition of rhythmicity?
The ability of cardiac fibers to give regular impulses (action potentials) causing the heart to beat regularly.
What is the origin of rhythmicity?
Myogenic (not neurogenic; nerves do not initiate it but control it).
What is the evidence that rhythmicity is myogenic?
The transplanted heart (no nerve supply) continues to beat.
What has the fastest rhythm?
SAN has the fastest rhythm (so, it is the pace maker of the heart).
What is the self-excitation of SAN due to?
Natural leakiness of the membrane to Na+
What is the rhythmicity of SAN, AVN, Bundle tissues, Purkinje fibers, and ventricles respectively?
Rhythmicity without vagus 120 / min
90 / min
45 / min
35 / min
25 / min
What is the mechanism of rhythmicity of SAN? (SAN action potential)
What is the reason for the changing of the membrane potential from (-55mv) to (-40mv) in SAN action potential?
Na influx through funny (If) slow Na channels, Ca influx through T (transient) Ca channel, decreased K efflux
What is the reason for the changing of the membrane potential from (-40mv) to (+10mv) in SAN action potential?
Ca influx through L (long-lasting) (Ica) Ca channels
What is the reason for the changing of the membrane potential from (+10mv) to (-55mv) in SAN action potential?
K efflux (Ik)
What is the excitability of cardiac fibers?
The ability of cardiac fibers to respond to an adequate stimulus (to generate action potentials).
What is the ionic basis of action potential (AP) of cardiac muscle?
What causes rapid depolarization in cardiac muscle AP?
-85mv to +20mv
Opening of fast Na channels
What causes early fast partial repolarization in cardiac muscle AP?
K efflux & Inactivation of fast Na channels.
What causes the slow prolonged plateau in cardiac muscle AP?
slow Ca influx & Decreased K efflux
What causes rapid repolarization in cardiac muscle AP?
Increased K efflux & closure of Ca channels.
What is the function of the Na-K pump in cardiac muscle AP?
derives excess Na out and excess K in.
What is the conductivity of cardiac muscle fibers?
The ability of cardiac fibers to conduct excitation waves from one part of the heart to another.
What is the value of atrial conduction?
0.4 m/sec
From where to where does action potential travel in atrial conduction and what does it travel through?
The action potential travels from the SAN into the atria and to the AVN through:
- Atrial mass & Internodal bundles (Anterior, middle, and posterior).
What is the value of AV nodal conduction?
Velocity = 0.04 m/sec.
Total delay: 0.16 sec
What are the causes of slow conductivity in AVN?
the small size of fibers & few gap junctions.
What is the significance of AVN delay?
- Protects ventricles from high pathological atrial rhythms.