A simple automated stimulator of mechanically induced arrhythmias in the isolated rat heart.
Transient stretching of the ventricle can trigger arrhythmias and evoke ventricular fibrillation, especially when the stimulation occurs in the vulnerable period. To explore the sensitivity of small hearts we used a commercial pressure servo to study the kinetic relationship of left ventricular pressure to excitability and arrhythmias in the rat heart. Stimulation protocols were readily composed on the computer and programmed to vary the stimulus amplitude and timing relative to pacing. The pressure-induced premature ventricular excitations were similar to those observed in larger hearts, but the convenience of using small hearts allows the use of inexpensive transgenic animals to explore the molecular basis of transduction.
Huang
Haixia
H
Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, People's Republic of China.
Wei
Hua
H
Liu
Ping
P
Wang
Wei
W
Sachs
Frederick
F
Niu
Weizhen
W
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D005682:Gadolinium; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D036103:Nanotechnology; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011312:Pressure; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013307:Streptomycin
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007473:Ion Channels; D005682:Gadolinium; D013307:Streptomycin