Cardio Flashcards
(143 cards)
4 phases of cardiomyocyte AP
- RMP (-90)
- Na+ enters, threshold reached @ -70 mV –> rapid/brief depolarization to +10 (L-type Ca channels slowly begin to open)
- Brief repolarization (transiently activated K+ channels–>efflux) –> 0 mV
- Plateau: Outward K+ and inward Ca2+ are balanced; Ca here is not enough to cause contraction triggers Ca-induced-Ca-release
- Repolarization via continued K+ efflux as Ca channels close; Ca efflux through Na/Ca exhanger and Ca-ATPase
Refractory period of cardiomyoctes based on what?
Resetting of Na+ channels (need to move from inactivated –> resting state (different gates)
Explain Ca-induced Ca release
Ca influx in sarcolemma including T-tubules (invaginations close to sarcoplasmic reticulum)
Ca binds RYR receptors on SR –> Ca release
How does a cardiomyocyte return to rest (ionically)
Ca moved back into SR and out of cell
SERCA = Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca ATPase
Na/Ca secondary active transport
Out of cell via active transport
Why do cardiac muscles have long repolarization phase?
So that the AP (and its refractory period) last most of the contraction time to prevent tetanus/arrhythmia
Gap junctions allow the heart muscle cells to act as a…
Fuctional syncytium
Explain troponin and tropomyosin
Tropomyosin covers myosin-binding sites on actin (thin filaments)
Troponin binds tropomyosin and actin, when Ca binds it releases actin to allow myosin heads to bind
3 subunits of troponin:
TnC - calcium
TnI - actin
TnT - tropomyosin
CO =
SV x HR
BP =
TPR x CO
Impact of catecholarmines on nodal cells
Bind B1AR
G protein cascade –> pKa activation –> phosphorylates and opens Ca channels –> depol, ^ HR
POSITIVE CHRONOTROPIC ACTION
Acetylcholine (Vagus Nerve) impact on cardiac nodal cells
Binds M2 receptors
–> Gi cascade –> K+ channel opening and efflux –> hyperpol/decreased HR
Also inhibits AC/pKa/Ca entry
Negative chronotropic action
Catecholamine impact on cardiomyocytes
Bind B1AR –> pKa activation (G cascade)
Phosphorylates Phospholamban on SR membrane –> Ca influx into SR –> ^ rate of relaxation
(phospholamban inhibits SERCA when dephosphorylated)
Phosphorylation of L-type Ca channels in sarcolemma as well
Term for the fact that the nodal cells can spontaneously trigger themselves
Automaticity
List various pacemaker cells and their spontaneous depolarization rates (4)
SA node = 60-100 bpm
Atria < 60
AV node ~50 (40-60)
Ventricles 20-40
Cardiomyocytes are connected by
Intercalated disks = gap junctions (connexons) + desmosomes (cadherins + plaque proteins, keratin)
3 things that make pacemaker APs unique
1) Phase 4 positive slope (pacemaker current)
2) Maximum diastolic potential =60 mV
3) Phase 0 upstroke is less rapid, lower amplitude (Ca influx not fast Na channels)
Purpose and mechanism of 0.1 sec delay at AV node?
Atrial contraction before ventricular contraction
Fewer gap junctions and smaller diameter fibres
Bundle of His branching
Bundle of His –> RBB and LBB
LBB –> anterior/posterior fascicles
What anchors the AV valves?
Chordae tendinae
Connected to papillary muscles
RMP of cardiomyocytes
-90 mV
Movement of Na/K ATPase
2 K in, 3 Na+ out (hyperpolarizing)
The RMP of cardiomyocytes is approximately the equilibrium potential of…
Potassium (rectifier potasium channels open at rest, pretty much only thing membrane is permeable to)
Explain AP in cardiac nodal cells
- Na+ leaking in through funny channels; RMP -60
- Threshold at -40 mV -> L-type Ca channels open –> depol
- Ca channels shut, K channels open –> repolarization to -60 (no plateau)

Upward inflections on JVP waveform (3)
a = atrial contraction
c = AV valve closure (very small)
v = passive filling during systole






