Population
Cell cultures (cell strands, width approximately 0.8 mm) produced using a technique of patterned cell growth
Design
Preclinical
Key result
In cell strands, uniform-field shocks induced biphasic negative transmembrane potential changes and membrane-impermeable dye uptake, indicating membrane electroporation rather than ionic currents.
Authors
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No immediate change to defibrillation practice; extends cell-level evidence for electroporation but leaves in vivo relevance open.
The biphasic shape of transmembrane potential changes at sites of shock-induced hyperpolarization during defibrillation is caused by membrane electroporation rather than inward ionic currents.
Cheek et al. (2003) studied this question. Uniform-field shocks was evaluated on Transmembrane potential (DeltaVm) changes and dye uptake. In cell strands, uniform-field shocks induced biphasic negative transmembrane potential changes and membrane-impermeable dye uptake, indicating membrane electroporation rather than ionic currents.