Mechanically dependent changes in action potentials recorded from the intact frog ventricle

The wall of the ventricle contracts inhomogeneously during an isovolumic beat of an isolated, intact frog ventricle. Some epicardial segments actually lengthen while the pressure is rising. Almost simultaneously, the early repolarization phase of the monophasic action potential recorded from such a segment is accelerated, compared to the same phase for an isotonic beat in which the segment shortens. Segment lengthening during the isovolumic beat also may be seen during the late repolarization phase when, in contract to the above, it produces an afterdepolarization. These electrical changes disappear when isotonic contraction is restored. Corroborative findings were obtained from microelectrode and insulated gap recordings from isolated frog ventricular strip. Both electrical changes can be seen clearly when the segment is lengthened by intraventricular injections of Ringer's solution. There also is a short transition period toward the end of the action potential plateau when lengthening produces neither depolarization nor repolarization. The accelerated repolarization is manifest as a shortening of the Q-T interval in the ventricular electrogram. In all experimental preparations, the afterdepolarizations reached threshold for a propagated action potential. This mechanism may explain the generation of extrasystoles in myocardial ischemia.