Perioperative cardiac arrhythmias A. Thompson, J.R. Balser British Journal of Anaesthesia Volume 93, Issue 1, Pages 86-94 (July 2004) DOI: 10.1093/bja/aeh166 Copyright © 2004 British Journal of Anaesthesia Terms and Conditions
Fig 1 The action potential in ventricular muscle and its temporal relationship with the surface ECG. The QRS interval is related to the rate of upstroke of the action potential, which partly determines the rate of impulse conduction through the ventricular myocardium. The QT interval is related to the length of the action potential (the absolute refractory period). The phases of the action potential are indicated, as are the major ionic currents (I) that flow during each phase. The dotted lines indicate anticipated effects on the action potential and ECG when drugs suppress either the sodium (Na+) current (class IA or IB) or potassium (K+) current (class IA or III). ACh, acetylcholine; Ado, adenosine; Cl, chloride; To, transient outward K+ current; Ks, slow component of rectifier K+ current; Kr, rapid component of rectifier K+ current. (Adapted from Balser JR. Perioperative management of arrhythmias. In: Barash PG, Fleisher LA, Prough DS, eds. Problems in Anaesthesia. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998; Vol 10(2): 199.) British Journal of Anaesthesia 2004 93, 86-94DOI: (10.1093/bja/aeh166) Copyright © 2004 British Journal of Anaesthesia Terms and Conditions