Age-dependent changes in electrophysiology and calcium handling - implications for pediatric cardiac research.

Age-dependent changes in electrophysiology and calcium handling - implications for pediatric cardiac research. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2019 Dec 30;: Authors: Swift L, Burke M, Guerrelli D, Reilly M, Ramadan M, McCullough D, Prudencio T, Mulvany C, Chaluvadi A, Jaimes R, Posnack NG Abstract Rodent models are frequently employed in cardiovascular research, yet our understanding of pediatric cardiac physiology has largely been deduced from more simplified two-dimensional cell studies. Previous studies have shown that postnatal development includes an alteration in the expression of genes and proteins involved in cell coupling, ion channels, and intracellular calcium handling. Accordingly, we hypothesized that postnatal cell maturation is likely to lead to dynamic alterations in whole-heart electrophysiology and calcium handling. To test this hypothesis, we employed multiparametric imaging and electrophysiological techniques to quantify developmental changes from neonate to adult. In vivo electrocardiograms were collected to assess changes in heart rate, variability and atrioventricular conduction (Sprague-Dawley rats). Intact, whole hearts were transferred to a Langendorff-perfusion system for multiparametric imaging (voltage, calcium). Optical mapping was performed in conjunction with an electrophysiology study to assess cardiac dynamics throughout development. Postnatal age was associated with an increase in the heart rate (1...
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Tags: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Source Type: research