Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
Published on: July 3, 2013
[Human inward rectifying potassium current in myocytes isolated from patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation]
Biao Zhang1, Lin Tong, Xiao-rong Zeng
1Department of Physiology, Guangdong Medical College, Zhanjiang 524023, China.
Objective:
To compare the changes of inward rectifying K(+) (Kir) current (I(K1)) density in atrial myocytes of patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation (RAF) less or longer than 6 months.
Method:
I(K1) density was measured with whole-cell patch clamp technique in single myocyte isolated by an enzymatic dissociation method from right atrial appendages in patients with RAF less than 6 months (n = 18) and longer than 6 months (n = 18), RAF patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR, n = 18) served as control.
Results:
The average resting membrane potentials were similar between various groups. I(K1) density in single myocyte at -50 to -100 mV of patients with RAF longer than 6 months was significantly increased compared to that in patients with RAF less than 6 months and NSR patients. I(K1) density in single myocyte at hyperpolarized potential level (-100 mV) was also significantly increased in patients with RAF longer than 6 months (8.94 +/- 0.15) than that in patients with RAF less than 6 months (4.35 +/- 0.49) and NSR patients compared to that in NSR (4.05 +/- 0.96, P < 0.05 vs RAF longer than 6 months).
Conclusion:
The data suggest I(K1) current increase might contribute to the electrical remodeling in RAF patients.
Related Concept Videos
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
Cardiac Action Potential
The cardiac action potential process involves a series of phases characterized by the movement of ions across the cardiac cell membranes, leading to the depolarization and repolarization of the cardiac myocytes.
Ionic Basis of Cardiac Action Potentials
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

