The mechanism of the rate-dependent changes of the conducted action potential in rabbit ventricle.

Blockers of the transient outward current (4-aminopyridine) and the Ca current (Co2+) as well as injection of polarizing current during the plateau were used to assess the role of these current systems as determinants of action potential duration at different pacing rates. Papillary muscles and ventricular trabecula were superfused with oxygenated Krebs solution at 33 degrees C and driven at a basic rate of 1 Hz. The effects of varying the frequency of stimulation between 0.1 and 4 Hz on action potential parameters were determined under control conditions and during exposure to 2 mM 4-aminopyridine, 1-3 mM CoCl2, or a mixture of 4-aminopyridine and CoCl2. The control relationship between action potential duration and pacing rate showed a maximum between 1 and 2 Hz. Under 4-aminopyridine, the plateau height and the action potential duration increased. The rate-dependent shortening of the action potential at frequencies below 1 Hz was reduced or abolished, and enhanced shortening was observed at rates above 1 Hz. Exposure to Co2+ reduced the action potential shortening at rates higher than 1 Hz. Both blockers, 4-aminopyridine and Co2+ were necessary to eliminate the rate-dependent changes of the action potential duration. Our results indicated that both the transient outward current and the inward calcium current determine the plateau height and duration for frequencies less than or equal to 2 Hz, whereas at higher rates, the Ca current plays a dominant role.