Electrophysiologic mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias. 1991

N el-Sherif
Department of Medicine, State University of New York Health Science Center, Brooklyn.

In this work the electrophysiologic mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias have been briefly summarized. Ventricular arrhythmias can be caused either by pacemaker activity or by reentrant excitation. Enhancement of normal automaticity can generate a parasystolic rhythm in normal fibers. Abnormal automaticity may arise from fibers in which maximum diastolic potential has been reduced by a variety of interventions. Triggered activity is caused by either an early (EAD) or delayed (DAD) afterdepolarization and requires a prior normal action potential for initiation. While there is growing evidence that EAD-induced triggered activity plays a significant role in the Long QTU syndrome and Torsade de Pointes, no clinical arrhythmias has definitely been ascribed to DADs, although DADs have been recorded in man after acute digoxin intoxication. Ventricular arrhythmias can be also caused by reentrant excitation, which can be subdivided into reflection or circus movement reentry (CMR). In the reflection model impulses in both directions are transmitted over the same pathway. In the CMR three models can be differentiated: the ring model, which requires a fixed anatomical obstacle; the figure-eight model and the leading circle model, where functional rather than fixed anatomical obstacles are involved.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008133 Long QT Syndrome A condition that is characterized by episodes of fainting (SYNCOPE) and varying degree of ventricular arrhythmia as indicated by the prolonged QT interval. The inherited forms are caused by mutation of genes encoding cardiac ion channel proteins. The two major forms are ROMANO-WARD SYNDROME and JERVELL-LANGE NIELSEN SYNDROME. Electrocardiogram QT Prolonged
D008955 Models, Cardiovascular Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of the cardiovascular system, processes, or phenomena; includes the use of mathematical equations, computers and other electronic equipment. Cardiovascular Model,Cardiovascular Models,Model, Cardiovascular
D011690 Purkinje Fibers Modified cardiac muscle fibers composing the terminal portion of the heart conduction system. Purkinje Fiber,Fiber, Purkinje,Fibers, Purkinje
D004195 Disease Models, Animal Naturally-occurring or experimentally-induced animal diseases with pathological processes analogous to human diseases. Animal Disease Model,Animal Disease Models,Disease Model, Animal
D004285 Dogs The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065) Canis familiaris,Dog
D004562 Electrocardiography Recording of the moment-to-moment electromotive forces of the HEART as projected onto various sites on the body's surface, delineated as a scalar function of time. The recording is monitored by a tracing on slow moving chart paper or by observing it on a cardioscope, which is a CATHODE RAY TUBE DISPLAY. 12-Lead ECG,12-Lead EKG,12-Lead Electrocardiography,Cardiography,ECG,EKG,Electrocardiogram,Electrocardiograph,12 Lead ECG,12 Lead EKG,12 Lead Electrocardiography,12-Lead ECGs,12-Lead EKGs,12-Lead Electrocardiographies,Cardiographies,ECG, 12-Lead,EKG, 12-Lead,Electrocardiograms,Electrocardiographies, 12-Lead,Electrocardiographs,Electrocardiography, 12-Lead
D005117 Cardiac Complexes, Premature A group of cardiac arrhythmias in which the cardiac contractions are not initiated at the SINOATRIAL NODE. They include both atrial and ventricular premature beats, and are also known as extra or ectopic heartbeats. Their frequency is increased in heart diseases. Ectopic Heartbeats,Extrasystole,Premature Beats,Premature Cardiac Complexes,Cardiac Complex, Premature,Extrasystoles,Premature Cardiac Complex,Beat, Premature,Beats, Premature,Complexes, Premature Cardiac,Ectopic Heartbeat,Heartbeat, Ectopic,Heartbeats, Ectopic,Premature Beat,Premature Cardiac Complices
D006329 Heart Conduction System An impulse-conducting system composed of modified cardiac muscle, having the power of spontaneous rhythmicity and conduction more highly developed than the rest of the heart. Conduction System, Heart,Conduction Systems, Heart,Heart Conduction Systems,System, Heart Conduction,Systems, Heart Conduction
D006352 Heart Ventricles The lower right and left chambers of the heart. The right ventricle pumps venous BLOOD into the LUNGS and the left ventricle pumps oxygenated blood into the systemic arterial circulation. Cardiac Ventricle,Cardiac Ventricles,Heart Ventricle,Left Ventricle,Right Ventricle,Left Ventricles,Right Ventricles,Ventricle, Cardiac,Ventricle, Heart,Ventricle, Left,Ventricle, Right,Ventricles, Cardiac,Ventricles, Heart,Ventricles, Left,Ventricles, Right
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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