The mechanism of the negative chronotropic and dromotropic actions of adenosine 5'-triphosphate in the heart: an update.
Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) plays a critical role in intracellular metabolism and energetics. Extracellular ATP is rapidly degraded to adenosine by ectoenzymes. Both ATP and adenosine suppress cardiac pacemakers' automaticity and atrioventricular nodal conduction, albeit via the different mechanism of actions. This historical update summarizes the current knowledge regarding the negative chronotropic and dromotropic actions of ATP and discusses the clinical implications regarding the utility of ATP as a diagnostic and therapeutic agent in the management of neutrally mediated syncope and paroxysmal supra ventricular tachycardia.
Pelleg
Amir
A
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192, USA. apelleg@drexelmed.edu
Belhassen
Bernard
B
D000241:Adenosine / Q000378:metabolism*; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013575:Syncope / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D000241:Adenosine