Time course for reversal of electrophysiological and ultrastructural abnormalities in subendocardial Purkinje fibers surviving extensive myocardial infarction in dogs.

Abstract

The electrophysiological properties of subendocardial Purkinje fibers surviving in myocardial infarcts were studied with intracellular microelectrodes in isolated superfused preparations and correlated with subsequent light and electron microscopic studies. Transmembrane action potentials could always be recorded from one or two cell layers of subendocardial Purkinje fibers in infarcted regions 3 days to 7 weeks after coronary artery occlusion; ventricular muscle action potentials were rarely found. Microscopic studies also demonstrated several layers of intact subendocardial Purkinje fibers; the subjacent ventricular muscle cells were irreversibly injured and replaced by scar. At all time intervals, surviving Purkinje fibers had significantly reduced maximum diastolic potentials, action potential amplitudes, and depolarization velocities as well as prolonged action potential durations. These parameters normalized between 24 hours and 7 weeks after coronary artery occlusion. Surviving Purkinje fibers with...