Properties and ionic mechanisms of action potential adaptation, restitution, and accommodation in canine epicardium

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2009 Apr;296(4):H1017-26. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.01216.2008. Epub 2009 Jan 23.

Abstract

Computational models of cardiac myocytes are important tools for understanding ionic mechanisms of arrhythmia. This work presents a new model of the canine epicardial myocyte that reproduces a wide range of experimentally observed rate-dependent behaviors in cardiac cell and tissue, including action potential (AP) duration (APD) adaptation, restitution, and accommodation. Model behavior depends on updated formulations for the 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient outward current (I(to1)), the slow component of the delayed rectifier K(+) current (I(Ks)), the L-type Ca(2+) channel current (I(Ca,L)), and the Na(+)-K(+) pump current (I(NaK)) fit to data from canine ventricular myocytes. We found that I(to1) plays a limited role in potentiating peak I(Ca,L) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release for propagated APs but modulates the time course of APD restitution. I(Ks) plays an important role in APD shortening at short diastolic intervals, despite a limited role in AP repolarization at longer cycle lengths. In addition, we found that I(Ca,L) plays a critical role in APD accommodation and rate dependence of APD restitution. Ca(2+) entry via I(Ca,L) at fast rate drives increased Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger Ca(2+) extrusion and Na(+) entry, which in turn increases Na(+) extrusion via outward I(NaK). APD accommodation results from this increased outward I(NaK). Our simulation results provide valuable insight into the mechanistic basis of rate-dependent phenomena important for determining the heart's response to rapid and irregular pacing rates (e.g., arrhythmia). Accurate simulation of rate-dependent phenomena and increased understanding of their mechanistic basis will lead to more realistic multicellular simulations of arrhythmia and identification of molecular therapeutic targets.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 4-Aminopyridine / metabolism
  • Action Potentials / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / physiology
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels / physiology
  • Dogs
  • Ion Channels / physiology*
  • Models, Animal
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Pericardium / cytology
  • Pericardium / physiology*
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / physiology
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / physiology

Substances

  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Delayed Rectifier Potassium Channels
  • Ion Channels
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
  • 4-Aminopyridine
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
  • Calcium