人右心室瞬间外向钾电流电不均一性的初步研究

目的探讨人右心室复极1相瞬间外向钾电流(Ito)的跨壁电不均一性。方法应用全细胞钳制技术,对人右心室心外膜下(Epi)细胞、中间层(M)细胞和心内膜下(Endo)细胞复极1相Ito离子流的电流强度、密度和动力学过程进行研究。结果人右心室三层细胞之间存在明显的Ito离子流电不均一性,在37℃、0·2Hz和除极化试验电压为+70mV时,Epi细胞和M细胞峰值Ito离子流的密度分别为(13·2±2·6)pA/pF,和(8·9±3·1)pA/pF,远大于Endo细胞(2·7±0·35)pA/pF,(P<0·01);在37℃条件下,人右心室Epi细胞和M细胞Ito离子流的激活和失活过程符合Boltzmann分布,两组细胞的激活和失活V1/2、斜率因子K等均差异无统计学意义(P>0·05)。结论在人右心室跨越室壁的3层细胞间,特别是Epi细胞与Endo细胞之间、M细胞与Endo细胞之间,复极1相存在明显的Ito离子流强度差异和强大的Ito离子流梯度。     

人右心室心外膜下细胞瞬间外向钾电流的初步研究

两例终末期心脏来源于心脏移植的受体病人 ,用酶解分离法获得心外膜下 (Epi)细胞 ,在全细胞钳制条件下观察人右心室Epi细胞瞬间外向钾电流 (Ito1 )的电生理特性。结果发现 :①Epi细胞具有强大的Ito1 ,在 0 .2Hz、+70mV和 37℃条件下 ,Epi细胞的峰值Ito1 离子流强度和密度分别达 1 940± 440pA、1 2 .9± 2 .6pA/pF ;②温度对Ito1 强度的影响明显 ,在 +70mV、0 .2Hz、2 2℃和 37℃条件下 ,Epi细胞峰值Ito1 强度和密度分别为 1 1 90± 31 0pA和 7.7±1 .8pA/pF、1 960± 465pA和 1 3 .1± 2 .8pA/pF ,差异有显著性 (P均 <0 .0 1 ) ;③Epi细胞Ito1 离子流强度表现出明显的频率依赖性 ,在 37℃和 +70mV、刺激频率分别为 0 .2 ,0 .5 ,1和 2Hz时 ,Epi细胞Ito1 离子流强度分别为 1 91 0±42 0 ,1 660± 360 ,1 4 1 0± 2 50 ,830± 1 4 0pA ,差异均有显著性 (P均 <0 .0 1 )。结论 :人右心室Epi细胞存在强大的Ito1 ,此为人右心室Epi细胞复极 1期一个突出的电生理特点 ,可能是Brugada综合征等疾病所致恶性心律失常的重要离子基础之一。     

犬右心室心外膜下细胞瞬间外向钾电流特性的研究

目的　探讨犬右心室心外膜下 (Epi)细胞复极 1期瞬间外向钾电流 (Ito1)的电生理特性。方法　应用全细胞钳制技术 ,对右心室Epi细胞复极 1期Ito1的电流强度、动力学过程和动作电位切迹进行定量观察。结果　 (1)犬右心室Epi细胞具有强大的Ito1,其激活过程呈明显的电压依赖性 ,在37℃、0 2Hz和去极化试验电压为 +70mV时 ,Epi细胞的峰值Ito1强度和密度分别达 (4 15 0± 1780 )pA和 (31± 11 4)pA/pF ,其激活和失活动力学过程符合Boltzmann分布 ;(2 )犬右心室Epi细胞Ito1具有明显的频率依赖性 ,即在基础刺激周长增加时 ,Ito1明显增大 ,并和动作电位的“尖峰 穹隆”幅度的增加相对应 ;(3)温度对Ito1强度的影响明显 ,在去极化试验电压为 +70mV、0 2Hz和温度为 2 2℃、37℃条件下 ,右心室Epi细胞的Ito1强度和密度分别为 (2 380± 10 5 0 )pA与 (18± 7 6 )pA/pF、(4 15 0± 1780 )pA与 (31± 11 4)pA/pF ,差异明显。结论　犬右心室Epi细胞存在强大的Ito1,这种具有明显电压依赖性、频率依赖性和温度依赖性的Ito1及其参与介导的“尖峰 穹隆”状动作电位图形是右心室Epi细胞复极1期一个突出的电生理特点。     

奎尼丁对正常大鼠心室肌细胞瞬间外向钾电流的影响

研究大鼠心室肌细胞瞬间外向钾电流(Ito1)的特性及奎尼丁对其的影响,从而从细胞离子的层面去探讨奎尼丁作为治疗Brugada综合征的侯选药物的机制。用酶解法分离大鼠单个左室细胞,应用膜片钳全细胞方法记录Ito1,观察不同浓度的奎尼丁对心室肌细胞Ito1的作用。结果:①大鼠心室肌细胞具有强大的Ito1,在0.2Hz,+70mV和32℃条件下,其平均峰值Ito1强度和密度分别为1940±440pA和12.9±2.6pA/pF;②在奎尼丁1,2.5,5,7.5,10μmol/L不同的浓度下,奎尼丁抑制Ito1程度越明显(自身对照P<0.05),其作用呈浓度依赖性。结论:奎尼丁可以通过抑制Ito1,延长动作电位的复极时程,此很有可能是其作为治疗Brugada综合征的侯选药物的机制之一。     

乙酰胆碱对犬右室三层心肌细胞L型钙电流不均一性的影响

目的测定犬右室三层心肌细胞上的L型钙电流(ICa,L),并研究其对自主神经递质乙酰胆碱的反应。方法经酶解法分离获得犬右室三层心肌细胞,应用全细胞膜片钳技术,记录并比较三层心肌细胞的ICa,L,以及应用2μmol/L乙酰胆碱前后电流-电压曲线的差异。结果ICa,L的峰值电流密度外膜下大于M细胞,而M细胞又大于内膜下心肌细胞,分别为-4.896±1.907pA/pF(n=31),-3.406±0.904pA/pF(n=37),-2.788±0.756pA/pF(n=33)(P<0.05)。使用乙酰胆碱后,右室外膜下及M细胞的峰值电流密度减小[-4.921±1.023pA/pF vs -3.462±0.997pA/pF(n=12);-3.803±1.115pA/pF vs -2.959±0.883pA/pF(n=13),P均<0.05]。心内膜下心肌细胞用药前后无差异(P>0.05)。结论ICa,L在犬右室三层心肌细胞存在不均一性,乙酰胆碱可以减小心外膜下、M细胞的ICa,L,对内膜下心肌细胞的ICa,L无影响。     

血管紧张素Ⅱ对人心房肌细胞膜钾钙离子电流的作用

观察血管紧张素Ⅱ对人心房肌细胞膜主要离子流的作用,揭示其参与房性心律失常的细胞电生理机制。急性分离单个人心房肌细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳方法记录细胞膜短暂外向钾电流(Ito)、内向整流钾电流(Ik1)和L型钙电流(ICaL)。结果:0.1μmol/LAngⅡ使人心房肌细胞膜Ito峰值电流密度明显下降6.54±0.49pA/pFvs12.65±0.86pA/pF(P<0.05),在-100mV电压下使IK1峰值电流密度显著升高-8.93±1.12pA/pFvs-5.23±0.95pA/pF,(P<0.05),并明显促进人心房肌细胞膜ICaL-12.72±1.69pA/pFvs-5.79±0.84pA/pF(P<0.05)。结论:AngⅡ可促进人心房肌细胞膜IK1及ICaL,抑制人心房肌细胞膜Ito。     

自发性高血压大鼠左心室肌细胞动作电位延长的离子机制

目的:研究自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)左心室肌细胞动作电位时程延长的膜离子流基础.方法:应用酶解方法分离获得正常血压Wistar大鼠和SHR的左心室肌细胞,采用玻璃微电极技术记录动作电位,膜片钳全细胞记录膜离子流,对比正常心室肌细胞和肥大心室肌细胞间动作电位及膜离子流差别.结果:(1)SHR和Wistar大鼠的心脏/体重比分别为5.66±0.46 mg/g和3.7±0.29 mg/g (P<0.001) ,细胞平均膜电容分别为280.68±67.98 pF 和189.94±56.59 pF(P<0.05).提示SHR 心脏肥厚、心肌细胞增大;(2)SHR动作电位APD50和APD90较Wistar大鼠明显延长(21.33±1.56 ms vs 14.91±2.95 ms,P<0.001; 164.6±74 ms vs 93.27±10.59 ms,P<0.00 1),说明SHR心室肌细胞存在复极延迟;(3)SHR的平均ICa-L幅值显著大于Wistar大鼠,分别为1944±466.8 pA和1136±33.3 pA(P<0.001),电流密度二者间无差异(6.932±1.7 1 pA/pF vs 6.19±2.85 pA/pF) ,但SHR的慢失活时间常数明显延长(56.01±13.36 ms vs 43.63±17.89 ms,P<0.001);(4)S HR的Ik1内向电流密度显著小于Wistar大鼠(11.3±2.26 pA/pF vs 14.33 pA/pF,P<0.05),外向电流密度二者间差异无显著性(2.36±0.86 pA/pF vs 2.96±1.27 pA/pF);(5)SHR的Ik密度与Wista r大鼠间无差别(12.38±5.46 pA/pF vs 11.86±3.59 pA/pF);(6)SHR的Ito密度显著地低于Wistar 大鼠(+70 mV时, 8.21±6.64 pA/pF vs 19.16±6.17 pA/pF, P<0.001).但通道的激活和失活时间常数二者无差异,提示Ito的降低可能仅是通道数减少所致.结论:SHR左心室肌细胞动作电位时程延长系外向复极钾流(Ito、Ik1)减小和慢钙通道失活时间常数延长所致.     

自主神经对急性缺血心肌跨室壁复极离散度影响的实验研究

目的　探讨自主神经系统对犬急性缺血心肌跨室壁复极离散度的影响。方法　经结扎冠状动脉前降支制备犬急性心肌缺血动物模型 ,用单相动作电位 (MAP)记录技术 ,同步记录 12只开胸犬急性缺血的左心室游离壁心外膜心肌 (epicardium ,Epi)、中层心肌 (midmyocardium ,Mid)和心内膜心肌 (endocardium ,Endo)的MAP。对自主神经刺激前和刺激过程中 ,3层心肌的跨室壁复极离散度和早期后除极 (earlyafterdepolarization ,EAD)的发生率进行比较。 结果　缺血 10min后 ,起搏周长为 10 0 0ms ,在未刺激自主神经的情况下 ,跨室壁复极离散度为 (5 5± 8)ms ;刺激交感神经的过程中 ,跨室壁复极离散度增加到 (86± 15 )ms (P <0 0 1) ;迷走神经刺激过程中 ,跨室壁复极离散度为 (5 3± 9)ms,与刺激前跨室壁复极离散度 (5 5± 8)ms相比差异无显著性 (P >0 0 5 )。交感神经刺激前 ,2只 (17% )犬的中层心肌出现EAD ;交感神经刺激过程中 ,7只 (5 8% )犬的中层心肌出现EAD (P <0 0 1)。结论　 (1)交感神经刺激可增加缺血心肌的跨室壁复极离散度 ,且易在中层心肌细胞诱发EAD ,两者可诱发室性心动过速 ;(2 )迷走神经刺激对缺血心肌的跨室壁复极离散度无明显影响     

自主神经系统对在体犬跨室壁复极不均一性影响的研究

目的　探讨自主神经系统对在体犬跨室壁复极离散度的影响。方法　用单相动作电位(MAP)记录技术 ,同步记录 12只开胸犬左心室游离壁心外膜心肌 (epicardium ,Epi)、中层心肌(midmyocardium ,Mid)和心内膜心肌 (endocardium ,Endo)的MAP。对自主神经刺激前和刺激过程中 ,三层心肌的跨室壁复极离散度和早期后除极的发生率进行比较。结果　起搏周长为 10 0 0ms时 ,在未刺激自主神经的情况下 ,Epi、Mid和Endo的单相动作电位时程 (MAPD)复极 90 %的时限 (MAPD90 )分别是 (2 78± 11)ms、(316± 16 )ms和 (2 70± 12 )ms;其中Mid的MAPD90 明显长于Epi和Endo的MAPD90 (P<0 0 1)。刺激交感神经时 ,Epi、Mid和Endo细胞的MAPD90 分别缩短 (19± 4 )ms、(45± 6 )ms、(18± 3)ms。与刺激前相比 ,跨室壁复极离散度由 (44± 4 )ms减少到 (15± 3)ms(P <0 0 1) ;但是交感神经刺激时 ,有 5只犬 (41% )的中层心肌出现了早期后除极。迷走神经刺激对三层心肌的MAPD90 值无明显影响。结论　 (1)在体犬心室肌存在跨室壁复极不均一性 ;(2 )交感神经刺激可减少跨室壁复极离散度 ,但易在Mid诱发早期后除极 ;(3)迷走神经刺激对跨室壁复极离散度无明显影响。     

急性心肌缺血时瞬时外向钾电流和跨壁复极离散度的变化及其计算机仿真研究

目的探讨急性心肌缺血时犬左室心肌楔形组织块瞬时外向钾电流(Ito)、跨壁复极离散度(TDR)的变化及其计算机仿真研究。方法建立冠状小动脉灌注犬左室心肌楔形组织块模型,应用浮置玻璃微电极和心电图同步记录技术,观察急性无灌流心肌缺血对内中外三层心肌细胞Ito、动作电位时程(APD)、TDR和心律失常的影响,并结合急性心肌缺血Ito离子流和TDR的变化,应用修正Luo-Rody参数进行计算机仿真。结果急性心肌缺血早期犬左室内中外三层心肌细胞的Ito离子流增大,APD缩短,均以心外膜层细胞最明显,TDR增加,诱发R-on-T早搏和室性心动过速,并经计算机仿真可以证实与临床一致的心电图特点。结论急性心肌缺血时Ito离子流增大,TDR增加,产生2位相折返,是多型性室性心动过速发生的重要机制,计算机仿真可以显示这些特点。     

正常大鼠心室肌细胞动作电位和瞬时外向钾离子流的特点

目的研究正常Spraque-Dawley大鼠外层、中层和内层心室肌细胞动作电位(AP)和瞬时外向钾离子流(Ito)的特点。方法采用酶消化法获得大鼠外层、中层和内层心室肌细胞,以全细胞膜片钳技术记录心室肌细胞AP和Ito。结果成功记录到大鼠心室肌细胞外、中和内层心肌细胞AP和Ito。外层至内层心室肌细胞动作电位时程(APD)逐渐延长(P<0.05)。在+70mV刺激时外层至内层心室肌细胞Ito电流密度逐渐减小,分别为59.50±15.99,29.15±5.53和12.29±3.62pA/pF(P<0.05)。三层心室肌细胞曲线半激活电压、半失活电压及失活后恢复时间均无差异(P>0.05)。结论大鼠三层心室肌细胞AP形态和Ito大小存在分层差别。     

Differences in transient outward currents of feline endocardial and epicardial myocytes

Whole-cell voltage-clamp experiments were performed on enzymatically dissociated single ventricular myocytes harvested from feline endocardial and epicardial surfaces. The studies were designed to test the hypothesis that the differences in the amplitude of transient outward current (Ito) contribute to the difference in action potential configuration between endocardial and epicardial myocytes. In the control state, action potentials recorded from epicardial cells demonstrated a prominent notch between phases 1 and 2, and membrane current recordings displayed a prominent Ito, whereas in endocardial cells the notch in action potentials and Ito were small. External application of 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) reduced the amplitudes of notch and Ito in epicardial cells but not in endocardial cells. After application of 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) and caffeine (5 mM), the notch and Ito were abolished completely in both endocardial and epicardial cells. The first component of Ito (Ito1) was present in all epicardial cells studied (n = 20); it was absent in 12 of the 20 endocardial cells, and a small Ito1 was present in the remaining eight endocardial cells. The mean amplitude of Ito1 was significantly greater in epicardial than in endocardial cells. At a test voltage of +80 mV, the amplitude of Ito1 was 102.0 +/- 47.7 pA/pF in epicardial cells and 3.3 +/- 3.3 pA/pF in endocardial cells (p less than 0.01). The second component of Ito (Ito2) was present in all endocardial (n = 30) and epicardial (n = 30) cells studied. The amplitude of Ito2 was significantly greater in epicardial than in endocardial cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

L型钙通道在LQTl发病机制中作用的实验研究

目的 分析L型钙电流(IcaL)在犬三层心室肌细胞中的特点,探讨其在LQTl发病机制中的作用.方法 成年杂种犬14只,体重13～15 kg,雌雄不拘.分离犬三层心室肌细胞,采用全细胞膜片钳技术记录动作电位(AP)和ICaL,依次用Chromanol 293B(50ìμmoL/L)阻断慢激活延迟整流性钾电流(IKs)模拟LQTl,用异丙肾上腺素(100 nmo/L)激活13肾上腺素受体(β-AR),观察AP和,ICaL的变化.分三层取少量心室肌组织,采用实时定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)技术,检测各层L型钙通道a1C亚单位的mRNA含量.结果 正常情况下,犬三层心室肌细胞ICaL电流密度差异无统计学意义[外层(4.253±0.782)pA/pF,中层(4.392±0.714)pA/pF,内层(4.182±0.665)pA/pF,P＞0.05],而中层心室肌细胞动作电位时限(APD)较内层和外层的长[外层(721.48±26.59)ms,中层(911.80±31.24)ms,内层(783.52±25.27)ms,P＜0.05];阻断IKs后ICaL电流密度没有变化,而APD均明显延长[(外层(835.21±27.34)ms,中层(1089.21±30.55)ms,内层(830.64±27.12)ms,与阻断IKs前相比,P＜0.05)];β-AR兴奋使三层心室肌细胞ICaL显著增加,且三者变化差异无统计学意义[(外层(5.654±0.756)pA/pF,中层(5.458±0.702)pA/pF,内层(5.600±0.819)pAZpF,P＞0.05].但β-AR兴奋使外层和内层心室肌细胞APD缩短,中层心室肌细胞APD延长,三者变化差异有统计学意义[外层(792.63±26.71)ms,中层(1127.85±32.10)ms,内层(811.32±27.52)ms,P＜0.05].实时定量RT-PCR结果显示,三层心室肌细胞中alC亚单位的mRNA含量差异无统计学意义(外层0.112±0.019,中层0.077±0.018,内层0.109±0.012,P＞0.05).结论 L型钙通道在犬三层心室肌中的分布没有差异,在LQTl模型中,Iso使三层心室肌细胞,ICaL均匀增加,推测ICsL本身没有引起LQTl复极不稳定.     

奎尼丁对吡那地尔诱导的犬右心室跨壁复极离散的影响

目的　由吡那地尔诱导犬右心室肌细胞产生“全或无”复极,观察奎尼丁对这种跨壁复极离散的影响。方法　应用标准玻璃微电极技术在1000ms刺激周长下,记录犬右心室肌细胞不同部位(外膜下、M区、内膜下)在不同情况[正常对照、吡那地尔(2 5μmol/L)、吡那地尔( 2 5μmol/L) +奎尼丁(5μmol/L) ]的动作电位。结果　吡那地尔( 2 5μmol/L)在3层细胞产生“全或无”复极,使跨壁复极离散增大,动作电位时程跨壁复极离散由(48 .5±9 .2)ms升为(128. 7±13. 5)ms(P<0. 01),进一步灌注奎尼丁(5μmol/L)后,减为(54 .3±10 .8)ms(P<0. 01)。奎尼丁部分恢复动作电位2相平台,延长了被吡那地尔缩短的动作电位时程。结论　在犬右心室肌组织,奎尼丁(5μmol/L)减小了由吡那地尔造成的跨壁复极离散,维持了跨壁电稳定性。     

T波形成的心电生理机制及其争议

心电图应用于临床已逾百年,但是对于T波形成的基础心脏电生理机制仍然不完全清楚。随着心室肌M细胞的发现,部分学者应用心室组织块记录心室心内膜、心外膜和M细胞之间的跨壁复极离散,并与同步记录的模拟心电图T波相对应,认为T波主要是心室肌跨壁复极离散所形成。但是,与心室组织块相比,在体情况下全心室相对长的心室激动时间、较快的心室率、电耦联以及电张力等都可能造成跨壁离散的减少,而且一系列在体标测心室复极的研究均未能记录到与T波一致的显著的跨壁复极离散。相反,心室整体的三维复极离散显示与T波相符。心室跨壁离散与整体离散在T波形成中的作用仍需进一步研究。     

Comparison of endocardial and epicardial programmed stimulation for the induction of ventricular tachycardia

Twenty-seven patients who had pairs of stainless steel wire electrodes placed on the right and the left ventricle during cardiac surgery underwent both epicardial and endocardial programmed ventricular stimulation to assess the inducibility of ventricular tachycardia. Twenty-six of the patients had coronary artery disease and were studied to evaluate map-guided surgery for treatment of ventricular arrhythmias. Burst ventricular pacing and up to three ventricular extrastimuli coupled to two drive train cycle lengths were delivered from the right and left ventricular epicardial wire electrodes and from endocardial catheter electrodes placed at the apex and outflow tract of the right ventricle. Ventricular tachycardia was reproducibly induced in three patients by both endocardial and epicardial stimulation. In one patient ventricular tachycardia was reproducibly induced by epicardial stimulation, but nonreproducible, nonsustained ventricular tachycardia was induced by endocardial stimulation. Ventricular tachycardia remained inducible by both endocardial and epicardial stimulation in three instances (two patients) during drug therapy. A negative study (less than 10 consecutive ventricular beats induced) was obtained in 23 patients by both endocardial and epicardial stimulation. The patients were followed up for 12 to 43 months (average 31). Sudden death or documented ventricular tachycardia occurred in two of the three patients with a positive study by both endocardial and epicardial stimulation. Nineteen (83%) of the 23 patients with concordantly negative studies remained free of arrhythmias. On the basis of concordant results of endocardial and epicardial stimulation (p = 0.001) these results suggest that epicardial stimulation of the right and the left ventricle is an acceptable method to assess the postoperative inducibility of ventricular tachycardia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Amiodarone reduces transmural heterogeneity of repolarization in the human heart

Objectives. The present work was designed to test the effects of amiodarone therapy on action potential characteristics of the three cell types observed in human left ventricular preparations.Background. The electrophysiologic basis for amiodarone’s exceptional antiarrhythmic efficacy and low proarrhythmic profile remains unclear.Methods. We used standard microelectrode techniques to investigate the effects of chronic amiodarone therapy on transmembrane activity of the three predominant cellular subtypes (epicardial, midmyocardial [M] and endocardial cells) spanning the human left ventricle in hearts explanted from normal, heart failure and amiodarone-treated heart failure patients.Results. Tissues isolated from the ventricles of heart failure patients receiving chronic amiodarone therapy displayed M cell action potential duration (404 ± 12 ms) significantly briefer (p < 0.05) than that recorded in tissues isolated from normal hearts (439 ± 22 ms) or from heart failure patients not treated with amiodarone (449 ± 18 ms). Endocardial cells from amiodarone-treated heart failure patients displayed longer (p < 0.05) action potential duration (363 ± 10 ms) than endocardial cells isolated from normal hearts (330 ± 6 ms). As a consequence, the heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization in tissues from patients treated with amiodarone was considerably smaller than in the two other groups, especially at long pacing cycle lengths.Conclusions. These findings may explain, at least in part, the reduction of ventricular repolarization dispersion and the lower incidence of torsade de pointes observed with chronic amiodarone therapy as compared with other class III agents.     

Electrophysiological responses of canine atrial endocardium and epicardium to acetylcholine and 4-aminopyridine.

OBJECTIVES: Prior studies demonstrated marked electrophysiological and pharmacological differences between canine ventricular epicardium and endocardium. For atrium, however, it has been assumed that, because of the thin wall, electrical properties of epicardium and endocardium are similar. The aim of the present study was to compare the action potential (AP) characteristics in epicardial and endocardial atrial cells before and following addition of acetylcholine (ACh) and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). METHODS AND RESULTS: Microelectrode techniques were used to study the effects of ACh (10(-7)-10(-5) M) and 4-AP (0.5 mM) on epicardial and endocardial AP of canine right atrial free wall at cycle lengths (CL) of 250 to 2000 ms. ACh hyperpolarized epicardial and endocardial cells (by 5-8 mV at 10(-5) M). In control, AP duration to 90% repolarization (APD90) was longer in endocardium at all CL. ACh shortened APD90 in either tissue with more prominent effect in endocardium (at 10(-5) M and CL = 2000 ms, from 179 +/- 10 to 90 +/- 11 ms in epicardium and from 209 +/- 10 to 65 +/- 6 ms in endocardium, P < 0.05). As a result, at 10(-5) M, APD90 in endocardium was shorter than in epicardium at all CL 4-AP effects on AP duration were similar in both tissue types. No effects of 4-AP was seen at CL = 250 ms and at long CL, the compound shortened APD90 and prolonged AP duration to 50% repolarization. CONCLUSIONS: (1) ACh exerts direct effects on atrial epicardial and endocardial AP; (2) 4-AP-sensitive transient outward current (Itol) is expressed both in canine atrial epicardial and endocardial cells; (3) differential response of epicardial and endocardial APD to ACh may alter the gradient of repolarization across the atrial wall and contribute to vagally induced atrial flutter and fibrillation.