The influences of cardiac mechano-electrical feedback on action potential duration

A mathematical model of ventricular tissue, incorporated into stretch-activated channels (SACs) and volume-activated chloride currents (I_cl,swell), was developed to investigate the interactions between cellular geometry and gap junctions in modulating action potential duration (APD). Results showed that shortening of APD was observed by activation of SACs using sustained axis-stretch in cellular uncoupling; however, lengthening of APD was observed in cellular coupling. Shortening of APD was observed by activation of I_cl,swell using radial swelling in both coupling and uncoupling. Thus, the alteration of APD by mechano-electrical feedback (MEF) in various gap junctions can be arrhythmogenic