Treatment of Arrhythmias by Blocking Slow Current

Editorials1 December 1980Treatment of Arrhythmias by Blocking Slow CurrentRALPH LAZZARA, M.D., BENJAMIN SCHERLAG, PH.D.RALPH LAZZARA, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, BENJAMIN SCHERLAG, PH.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-93-6-919 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptIn the past 20 years there have occurred the discovery and avid study of the "slow current," an inward flow of positive ions, predominantly calcium, across the sarcolemma of cardiac cells throughout most of systole (1). This ion flux is a prime factor in the initiation of contraction and contributes to the regulation of the intensity and duration of contraction. The slow current is distinguished from the "rapid current" of sodium ions, which enters the cells as an intense brief surge during the upstroke of the action potential and provides the excitatory current for normal propagation of the impulse. The...References1. REUTER H. Divalent cations as charge carriers in excitable membranes. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 1973;26:1-43. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. ZIPES D. Role of the slow current in cardiac electrophysiology. Circulation. 1975;51:761-6. Editorial. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. CRANEFIELD P. The Conduction of the Cardiac Impulse. Mt. Kisco, New York: Futura; 1975. Google Scholar4. ZIPESFISCHER DJ. Effects of agents which inhibit the slow channel on sinus node automaticity and atrioventricular conduction in the dog. Circ Res. 1974;34:184-92. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. REUTERSCHOLZ HH. The regulation of calcium conductance of cardiac muscle by adrenalin. J Physiol (Lond). 1977;264:49-62. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. 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Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, Oklahoma PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byKalziumantagonistenIndikationen für Calcium-AntagonistenContent of reports on clinical trials: A critical reviewThe Electrophysiology and Pharmacology of Verapamil, Flecainide, and Amiodarone: Correlations with Clinical Effects and Antiarrhythmic ActionsClinical use of antiarrhythmic drugsVerapamil and digoxin: Their respective effects on atrial fibrillation and their interaction 1 December 1980Volume 93, Issue 6Page: 919-921KeywordsAction potentialsArrhythmiaCalciumCellsSodiumSystole Issue Published: 1 December 1980 PDF downloadLoading ...