Behavior of ectopic surface: effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation and uncoupling.

ABSTRACT: By using both experimental and theoretical means, we have addressed the progression of ectopic activity from individual cardiac cells to a multicellular two-dimensional network. Experimental conditions that favor ectopic activity have been created by local perfusion of a small area of cardiomyocyte network (I-zone) with an isoproterenol-heptanol containing solution. The application of this solution initially slowed down and then fully blocked wave propagation inside the I-zone. After a brief lag period, ectopically active cells appeared in the I-zone, followed by evolution of the ectopic clusters into slowly propagating waves. The changing pattern of colliding and expanding ectopic waves confined to the I-zone persisted for as long as the isoproterenol-heptanol environment was present. On

SUBMITTER: Arutunyan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3031858 | biostudies-literature | 2003 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature