Diastolic (dys-)function and electrophysiology.
Cross-talk between cardiac electrical and mechanical function is a bidirectional process: The origin and spread of electric excitation govern cardiac contraction and relaxation, while the mechanic environment provides feedback information to the heart's electric behavior. The latter tends to be unduly disregarded by the medical community. This article reviews experimental findings on the effects of diastolic mechanics on cardiac electrophysiology, and describes physiological correlates, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic utility of cardiac mechanic stimulation in humans.
Kohl
P
P
Laboratory of Physiology, University of Oxford, United Kingdom. peter.kohl@physiol.ox.ac.uk
LeGuennec
J Y
JY
White
E
E
D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003971:Diastole / Q000502:physiology*; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D012849:Sinoatrial Node / Q000503:physiopathology; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy