title: Human atrial trabeculae: an experimental preparation for studying myocardial response to perioperative manipulations.
abstract: Trabeculae taken from discarded human right atrial specimens during cardiac surgery provide a useful preparation for studies in myocardial physiology and pharmacology. Three extrinsic measurements that have a marked effect on contraction of this preparation are temperature, stimulation frequency and calcium ion (Ca2+) concentration. There is a large decline in developed force below 30 degrees C. The optimal stimulation frequency (temperature 34 degrees C, Ca2+ concentration 2.5 mM) is 1 Hz. The Ca2+ level required to give half maximal force development is 2.0 mM. In a series of 46 atrial trabeculae (approximately 1 mm in diameter) from 33 patients, the authors found a mean contraction tension of 1.37 +/- 0.09 g/mm2 (+/- standard error) (temperature 34 degrees C, stimulation frequency 1 Hz, pH 7.4, Ca2+ concentration 2.5 mM) at maximum force. The preparation appears to have great potential for the study of perioperative manipulation on myocardial function.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016275:Atrial Function; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium