Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
Published on: July 3, 2013
[Effect of several inhalation anesthetics on ectopic cardiac automaticity. Intervention of the calcium ion]
Abstract:
The effect of halothane, enflurane and isoflurane (at concentrations ranging from 0.1 v/v% to 5 v/v%) on ventricular automaticity induced by a local injury, has been studied in the isolated right ventricle of the rat. Both, halothane and isoflurane, effectively reduces ventricular frequency at all concentrations tested. On the contrary, enflurane (0.3, 0.5 and 1 v/v%) increases ventricular automaticity. The effect of enflurane was either potentiated or reduced respectively in the presence of lower or higher calcium concentrations.
Related Concept Videos
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class II Agents as β-Adrenergic Blockers
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...
Heart Failure Drugs: Inotropic Agents
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
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

