Micropatterns of propagation

Advances in Cardiology
Peter J Lee, Steven M Pogwizd

Abstract

Alterations in microscopic conduction could contribute to microreentry and arrhythmogenesis in pathological settings. This chapter reviews microconduction in the ventricular myocardium. Gap junctions play a significant role in longitudinal and transverse propagation of the action potential wavefront in the ventricle. Studies of microscopic conduction in patterned cultures of neonatal rodent myocytes have provided novel insights into the role of gap junctions, the effects of uncoupling versus altered excitability, and the contribution of discontinuities and branching. Decreased gap junctional coupling can contribute to slowing of conduction and development of unidirectional block. However, in the setting of structural inhomogeneities and unbalanced current source and load, decreased coupling can, at times, improve conduction and be 'anti-arrhythmic,' attesting to the complexity of intercellular coupling as a therapeutic target. Genetically engineered mouse models of Cx43 depletion demonstrate slow conduction and arrhythmogenesis that appears to be reentrant in nature. Studies in these models provide novel insights into the contribution of gap junctions to impulse propagation and arrhythmogenesis in the intact heart. Overall, gap...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 8, 2015·Molecular Medicine Reports·Guo-Ying SuYun Zhang
Nov 19, 2014·Frontiers in Physiology·Stefan DheinFriedrich-Wilhelm Mohr
Feb 15, 2011·Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology·Aida Salameh, Stefan Dhein
Sep 22, 2017·Pharmacological Reviews·Luc LeybaertRainer Schulz
Mar 20, 2016·American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology·Monia SaviEzio Musso

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