Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2021
Lithium-induced sinus node disease at therapeutic concentrations: linking lithium-induced blockade of sodium channels
Gavin Y Oudit1, Victoria Korley, Peter H Backx
1St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario. gavin.oudit@utoronto.ca
Abstract:
The present report describes a case of sinus node arrest in a manic-depressive patient being treated with lithium carbonate with a therapeutic serum level of lithium. A permanent rate-modulated ventricular pacemaker was inserted and lithium therapy was continued. A review of literature revealed several other similar case reports in which both therapeutic and toxic levels of serum lithium levels were associated with sinus node dysfunction and bradyarrhythmias. Because lithium is a potent blocker of cardiac sodium channels, and given the critical importance of sodium channels in pacemaker activity, lithium-induced sodium channel blockade is likely an important mechanism in sinus node dysfunction.
More Related Videos
08:52Generation of Murine Cardiac Pacemaker Cell Aggregates Based on ES-Cell-Programming in Combination with Myh6-Promoter-Selection
Published on: February 17, 2015
10:41Laser-Induced Action Potential-Like Measurements of Cardiomyocytes on Microelectrode Arrays for Increased Predictivity of Safety Pharmacology
Published on: September 13, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
Depolarizing Blockers: Mechanism of Action
Succinylcholine is the most commonly used depolarizing blocker. Chemically, it constitutes two molecules of acetylcholine joined together by an acetate methyl group. They act on the receptors in the same way as acetylcholine. Because succinylcholine...