Excitability and electrical response of ischemic heart muscle

¹ Department of Physiology, State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York

Measurements were made of the changes in the monophasic action potential, excitability, durations of the refractory periods and conduction times in an area of left ventricular muscle during the development of ischemia subsequent to ligation of the ramus descendens anterior. The degree and duration of the ischemia produced varied greatly and effects were related thereto. It was found that action potentials shortened as did the refractory periods; thresholds fell momentarily and then rose progressively as tissue responsiveness failed due to continuing ischemia. Latency of responses increased, the action potentials decreased in amplitude and alternation occurred before the tissue became completely unresponsive. Early re-establishment of a blood supply caused a reversal of the abnormalities. The significance of these changes to the origin of arrhythmias is discussed.