title: Atrial fibrillation: a new explanation of the old phenomenon.
abstract: We propose a new mechanism of atrial fibrillation basing on the results of 30 series of acute experiments on anesthetized cats. In brief, combination of two or more arrhythmogenic factors shortens the interval between the inward and outward ionic currents in cardiomyocytes to a critical value. Under these conditions repolarization of cardiomyocyte membrane reaches the excitation threshold before complete inactivation of the depolarizing currents. This inevitably results in autoexcitation of myocytes (or extrasystole), that in turn promotes repolarization. Once occurred, autoexcitation turns into self-triggering activity resembling tachyarrhythmia paroxysm.
authors.affiliation: Kuban' State Medical Academy, Krasnodar Scientific Center.
authors.forename: Yu R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Sheikh-Zade
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Galenko-Yaroshevskii
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Cherednik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D002415:Cats; D002462:Cell Membrane; D007477:Ions; D009206:Myocardium / Q000166:cytology*; D011342:Procainamide / Q000378:metabolism; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D007477:Ions; D011342:Procainamide