Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026

Contractility Measurements on Isolated Papillary Muscles for the Investigation of Cardiac Inotropy in Mice
Published on: September 17, 2015
The intracellular and extracellular changes associated with ischaemia--effects of catecholamines in arrhythmogenesis
Abstract:
Beta sympathetic stimulation and the beta-adrenergic agonists exert a variety of electrophysiologic effects which contribute to the genesis of ischaemia-related arrhythmias. These are both primary, most likely related to enhancement of the slow calcium current, and secondary, resulting from changes in the metabolism of the ischaemic myocardium as reflected in the accumulation of ions and other end products of metabolism in the extracellular space. In addition, the regional influence of these changes may contribute to the ionic and electrical inhomogeneities. Further studies are needed to define more precisely the factors responsible for the enhanced arrhythmogenicity attributed to beta-adrenergic stimulation.
Related Concept Videos
Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
Pathophysiology of Cardiac Performance
Myocarditis I: Introduction
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

