Action potential prolongation and potassium currents in left-ventricular myocytes isolated from hypertrophied rabbit hearts.

We have studied the action potential characteristics and potassium currents in single left ventricular myocytes isolated from control and hypertrophied rabbit hearts. Left-ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) was induced following perinephritis-induced hypertension. Control animals underwent a sham operation. Animals were killed at 10 weeks post-operation. Left-ventricular myocytes were isolated by an enzyme dissociation technique. Action potential duration (APD) at 50 and 90% repolarisation was prolonged in myocytes obtained from hypertrophied compared to control hearts over the range of stimulation frequencies (0.1-1.5 Hz). This prolongation in APD was more pronounced in epicardial compared to endocardial myocytes. Steady-state ionic current, measured at the end of voltage clamp steps of 3-s duration, stepping at intervals of 10 mV, from a holding potential of -40 mV, was similar in control and hypertrophied myocytes. However, when normalised for capacitative cell surface area, steady-state current was significantly smaller in hypertrophied myocytes over the voltage range -40 to -60 mV and at potentials greater than +10 mV. Inward rectifier potassium current (IKl), identified as the barium chloride (0.1 mM)-sensitive current, contributed to the steady state current at negative potentials. Normalised IKl was significantly smaller in hypertrophied compared to control myocytes at potentials negative to -60 mV. Peak transient outward potassium current (Ito) density was reduced in hypertrophied compared to control myocytes at 0 and +10 mV, from a holding potential -80 mV (12.9 +/- 2.3 v 24.9 +/- 3.9 microA cm2, at +10 mV, P < 0.05). Steady-state inactivation of Ito was similar in control and hypertrophied myocytes. In conclusion, LVH induced by perinephritis hypertension in the rabbit is associated with a prolongation in APD. Reductions in IKl, sustained outward current and Ito may contribute to the prolongation in APD.