Cardiac action potential action potential (see phase 2, below) and is a fundamental step in cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. There are important physiological differences between the cells that spontaneously generate the action potential (pacemaker cells; e.g. SAN) and those that simply conduct it (non-pacemaker cells; e.g. ventricular myocytes). The specific differences in the types of ion channels expressed and mechanisms by which they are activated results in differences in the configuration of the action potential waveform, as shown in figure 2. The standard model used to understand the cardiac action potential is that of the ventricular myocyte. Outlined below are the five phases of
Cardiac physiology needed to pump the blood through the systemic circulation. Atria facilitate circulation primarily by allowing uninterrupted venous flow to the heart, preventing the inertia of interrupted venous flow that would otherwise occur at each ventricular systole. Cardiac muscle tissue has autorhythmicity, the unique ability to initiate a cardiac action potential at a fixed rate – spreading the impulse rapidly from cell to cell to trigger the contraction of the entire heart. This autorhythmicity is still modulated by the endocrine and nervous systems. There are two types of cardiac muscle cell: cardiomyocytes which have the ability to contract easily, and modified