title: Inhibition of the Na pump--a mechanism in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias.
abstract: An ATP-driven Na pump maintains the unsymmetrical Na and K distribution across the cell membrane of cardiac cells. An increase of the intracellular Na or extracellular K concentration enhances this active Na transport. About 35 per cent of the actively transported Na is ejected from the cells as a hyperpolarizing outward current. The Na pump influences the cardiac Ca metabolism via the Na-Ca exchange. Inhibition of the pump affects the generation and conduction of the cardiac action potential by various mechanisms. It seems to be involved in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias.
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011690:Purkinje Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D012756:Sheep; D012964:Sodium / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium