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Updated: Sep 6, 2026

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
Published on: November 11, 2022
The relation of potassium to digitalis effectiveness and toxicity
Abstract:
The concentration of potassium in the extracellular fluid, and presumably in the cell membrane and intracellular contents of the myocardial fibre, has a significant influence on the contractibility, irritability, conduction and rhythmic tendency of the heart muscle. The therapeutic and toxic dosage of digitalis is clinically affected by the variations in potassium concentrations. The range between therapeutic and toxic dosages of digitalis and sensitivity to bodily potassium depletion varies with the degree of failure of the myocardium and passive congestion of the liver.
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