Human Cardiac Repolarization

  • Philip T. Sager
Chapter
Part of the Contemporary Cardiology book series (CONCARD)

Abstract

Modulation of cardiac repolarization is thought to play an important role in the clinical development of many cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, the primary mechanism by which most antiarrhythmic agents exert their beneficial effects appears to be through drug-induced prolongation of repolarization. The evaluation of cardiac repolarization in humans has relied on measurements of the QT interval on the surface EKG or, more recently, tracings of monophasic action potentials (MAP) (1–3) recorded from the endocardial surface of the atrium and ventricle during invasive cardiac procedures. These recordings accurately reproduce the temporal sequence of repolarization (4,5). The recording of MAPs has permitted the exploration of physiological perturbations in vivo in humans, the relationship between repolarization and refractoriness, and the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs, and sympathetic stimulation on the human action potential duration. These issues and recording of MAPs will be discussed in this chapter.

Keywords

Cycle Length Antiarrhythmic Drug Action Potential Duration Antiarrhythmic Agent Sympathetic Stimulation 
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  • Philip T. Sager

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