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Inhibition of the Na pump—a mechanism in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias

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Summary

An ATP-driven Na pump maintains the unsymmetrical Na and K distribution across the cell membrane of cardiac cells. An increase of the intracellular Na or extracellular K concentration enhances this active Na transport. About 35 per cent of the actively transported Na is ejected from the cells as a hyperpolarizing outward current. The Na pump influences the cardiac Ca metabolism via the Na−Ca exchange. Inhibition of the pump affects the generation and conduction of the cardiac action potential by various mechanisms. It seems to be involved in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias.

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Author notes

  1. H. G. Glitsch

    Present address: Institut für Zellphysiologie der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Postfach 102148, 4630, Bochum, FRG

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    1. H. G. Glitsch
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    Glitsch, H.G. Inhibition of the Na pump—a mechanism in the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias. Basic Res Cardiol 79, 611–619 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01908379

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01908379

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