The Sinus Node: Structure, Function, and Clinical Relevance

Front Matter....Pages I-XII
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Function and Dysfunction of the Sinus Node: Clinical Studies in the Evaluation of Sinus Node Function....Pages 3-22
Measurement of Sinus Node Recovery Time After Atrial Pacing....Pages 23-35
Programmed Atrial Stimulation Used for the Calculation of Sinoatrial Conduction Time (SACT) in Man....Pages 36-45
The Pattern of the First and Second Return Cycle After Premature Atrial Stimulation....Pages 46-55
Programmed Atrial Stimulation and Rapid Atrial Pacing in Patients with Sinus Pauses and Sinoatrial Exit Block....Pages 56-64
A New Technique for Measurement of Sinoatrial Conduction Time....Pages 65-76
Relevance of Diagnostic Atrial Stimulation for Pacemaker Treatment in Sinoatrial Disease....Pages 77-88
The Response of the Sinus Node to Premature Stimulation of the Atrium Studied with Microelectrodes in Isolated Atrial Preparations of the Rabbit Heart....Pages 89-102
Review of the Significance of Drugs in the Sick Sinus Node Syndrome....Pages 103-111
Effect of Propranolol on Normal and Abnormal Sinus Node Function....Pages 112-128
Dual Effect of Verapamil on Sinus Node Function in Man....Pages 129-138
General Conclusions: Limitations of Sinus Node Function Testing in Patients with Known or Suspected Sinus Node Disease....Pages 139-146
Front Matter....Pages 147-147
The Fine Structure of the Sinus Node: a Survey....Pages 149-165
The Development of the Sinoatrial Node....Pages 166-182
Techniques and Problems in Correlating Cellular Electrophysiology and Morphology in Cardiac Nodal Tissues....Pages 183-194
Ultrastructural and Functional Aspects of the Rabbit Sinoatrial Node....Pages 195-211
General Comments....Pages 212-222
Front Matter....Pages 223-223
A General Introduction About the Current Status of the Electrophysiology of the Sinus Node....Pages 225-232
Characterization of a Two-Component Upstroke in the Sinus Node Subsidiary Pacemaker....Pages 233-244
Pacemaker Shifts in the Sinus Node: Effects of Vagal Stimulation, Temperature and Reduction of Extracellular Calcium....Pages 245-257
Front Matter....Pages 223-223
Cardiac Glycosides and Pacemaker Activity of the Sinus Node — A Microelectrode Study on the Isolated Right Atrium of the Rabbit....Pages 258-269
Effects of Polarization and of Inhibitors of Ionic Conductances on the Action Potentials of Nodal and Perinodal Fibers in Rabbit Sinoatrial Node....Pages 270-278
The Accelatory Action of the Vagus on the Sinus Node....Pages 279-289
General Conclusions....Pages 290-298
Front Matter....Pages 299-299
Ionic Currents in Rabbit Sinoatrial Node Cells....Pages 301-310
Fine Structure of the Small Sinoatrial Node Specimen Used for the Voltage Clamp Experiment....Pages 311-319
Membrane Currents Underlying Rhythmic Activity in Frog Sinus Venosus....Pages 320-332
Involvement of the Chloride Ions in the Membrane Currents Underlying Pacemaking Activity in Frog Atrial Trabeculae....Pages 333-338
Which Ions are Important for the Maintenance of the Resting Membrane Potential of the Cells of the Sinotrial Node of the Rabbit?....Pages 339-347
Does Spontaneous Activity Arise from Phase 4 Depolarization or from Triggering?....Pages 348-356
On the Possible Mechanism Underlying Spontaneous Pacemaking....Pages 357-367
General Comments: Ionic Currents Underlying Spontaneous Rhythm of the Cardiac Primary Pacemaker Cells....Pages 368-375
Front Matter....Pages 377-377
Clinical Evidence for Sinus Node Reentry....Pages 379-388
Sequence of Atrial Activation in Patients with Atrial Echo Beats....Pages 389-408
Re-Entry within the Sinoatrial Node as Demonstrated by Multiple Micro-Electrode Recordings in the Isolated Rabbit Heart....Pages 409-421
Role of Sinus Node Re-Entry in the Genesis of Sustained Cardiac Arrhythmias....Pages 422-427
General Conclusions....Pages 428-428
Back Matter....Pages 429-459