title: The mechanical atrioventricular time of isolated hearts as a correlate of the atrioventricular conduction time.
abstract: The time difference between onset of contraction in right atrium and left ventricle of isolated guinea pig hearts (mechanical AV time) was measured continuously by an impulse-triggered interval counter and taken as an equivalent of the electrophysiological AV conduction time derived from the epicardial ECG. Excellent correlation between these two parameters was established over a broad range of experimentally modified conduction times. The method was used to analyze the influence of electrical pacing, epinephrine, Ca2+ ions, and adenosine both on the AV conduction and on functional parameters of the hearts and revealed advantages in comparison to separate tests of single parameters in different experimental arrangements.
mesh_terms: D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016275:Atrial Function; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004837:Epinephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000502:physiology*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D000241:Adenosine; D002118:Calcium; D004837:Epinephrine