Repolarizing stimuli followed by calcium transmembrane currents

Repolarizing stimuli applied during the plateau phase of a cardiac action potential do not always cause the membrane to return to a resting state Instead, the repolarizing stimulus may be followed immediately by a subsequent action potential. The subsequent action potential occurs even though the repolarizing stimulus returns the transmembrane potential to its resting level. This study used the DiFrancesco-Noble membrane model in a patch geometry to evaluate the membrane currents that initiated the subsequent action potential. These initiating currents were found to be predominantly calcium currents.

Duke Scholars

Author Roger C. Barr Biomedical Engineering