Distinctive effects of three intravenous anesthetics on the inward rectifier (IK1) and the delayed rectifier (IK) potassium currents in myocardium: implications for the mechanism of action.

The mechanism(s) of action of anesthetics on cell membrane ionic currents are not known. To investigate this further the effects of clinically relevant concentrations of ketamine, methohexital, and propofol on the delayed rectifier (IK) and the inward rectifier (IK1) currents of single dispersed guinea pig ventricular myocytes were studied. These voltage-gated currents are major components of cardiac cell electrophysiologic function regulating resting potential and repolarization. Each of the three anesthetics had a distinct spectrum of activity. Ketamine (10(-4) M) decreased IK1 (P < 0.05) but had no effect on IK. Methohexital (10(-4) M) had no significant effect on either current. Propofol (2.8 x 10(-5) M) resulted in significant depression of IK (P < 0.001) but had no effect on IK1. These results suggest that these intravenous anesthetics may have more specific effects on sarcolemma than volatile anesthetics, whose effects may be more generalized membrane effects.