Effect of stretch on conduction velocity and cable properties of cardiac Purkinje fibers

Cardiac Purkinje fibers were studied before and after stretch to 30% and 50% in excess of their slack length, and membrane properties and conduction velocity were measured in relation to the stretch. Conduction velocity increased by 26% with 50% stretch. The resting potentials averaged -77 mV and did not change with stretch. In addition, the action potential height, maximal upstroke velocity, duration, and time constant of the foot did not change. These results suggested that the increase in conduction velocity was not due to a change in membrane excitability. Two geometric models of stretch, called unfolding and uncoiling, were considered. Cable analyses were performed to distinguish between these models. The effects were mixed, with about 2/3 of the length change resulting from unfolding and 1/3 from uncoiling. These results support the concept of redundancy of the surface membrane by folding. The changes are likely to be of importance in activation of the heart by the His-Purkinje system, especially in cardiac dilatation due to disease.