Delayed rectification in the cardiac Purkinje fiber is not activated by intracellular calcium

Abstract

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that an outward current (Ix) responsible for action potential repolarization in the cardiac Purkinje fiber is activated by intracellular calcium (Cai). Pharmacological probes were combined with the measurement of membrane current and contractile activity under voltage clamp conditions. Experiments were designed to examine properties of Ix that have previously linked activation of this current to changes in Cai. The independence of Ix from Cai was demonstrated for each case tested. Thus, the results of these experiments support the view that Ix is not a calcium-activated current.