Human inward rectifying potassium current in myocytes isolated from patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation / 中华心血管病杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the changes of inward rectifying K(+) (Kir) current (I(K1)) density in atrial myocytes of patients with rheumatic atrial fibrillation (RAF) less or longer than 6 months.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>I(K1) density was measured with whole-cell patch clamp technique in single myocyte isolated by an enzymatic dissociation method from right atrial appendages in patients with RAF less than 6 months (n = 18) and longer than 6 months (n = 18), RAF patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR, n = 18) served as control.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The average resting membrane potentials were similar between various groups. I(K1) density in single myocyte at -50 to -100 mV of patients with RAF longer than 6 months was significantly increased compared to that in patients with RAF less than 6 months and NSR patients. I(K1) density in single myocyte at hyperpolarized potential level (-100 mV) was also significantly increased in patients with RAF longer than 6 months (8.94 +/- 0.15) than that in patients with RAF less than 6 months (4.35 +/- 0.49) and NSR patients compared to that in NSR (4.05 +/- 0.96, P < 0.05 vs RAF longer than 6 months).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The data suggest I(K1) current increase might contribute to the electrical remodeling in RAF patients.</p>