title: Electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of the pulmonary vein myocardium.
abstract: The pulmonary vein contains a myocardial layer extending from the left atrium, which is receiving attention as the source of ectopic electrical activity underlying atrial fibrillation. Electrophysiological and pharmacological analysis of the pulmonary vein myocardium performed in various experimental animal species have revealed characteristics such as presence of intracellular Ca(2+) oscillations and low repolarizing potency. The automaticity of the pulmonary vein myocardium is affected by various neurotransmitters, hormones and pharmacological agents. Clarification of the mechanisms and regulation of pulmonary vein automaticity would lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies and pharmacological agents for atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, Funabashi, Chiba 274–8510, Japan.
authors.forename: Iyuki
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Namekata
authors.forename: Yayoi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsuneoka
authors.forename: Hikaru
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tanaka
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium