[HTML][HTML] Molecular and cellular mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias

MT Keating, MC Sanguinetti - Cell, 2001 - cell.com
MT Keating, MC Sanguinetti
Cell, 2001cell.com
The heart is a pump (Figure 1). Through coordinated contraction of the atria, blood is
pumped into the ventricles. The ventricles, which do most of the work of the heart, contract
synchronously to pump blood to the rest of the body. The right ventricle pumps
deoxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange. The left ventricle, the most forceful
chamber of the heart, pumps blood to the rest of the organs, including the brain, kidneys,
liver, skeletal muscle, and other vital organs. Through this pumping action, the left ventricle …
The heart is a pump (Figure 1). Through coordinated contraction of the atria, blood is pumped into the ventricles. The ventricles, which do most of the work of the heart, contract synchronously to pump blood to the rest of the body. The right ventricle pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs for gas exchange. The left ventricle, the most forceful chamber of the heart, pumps blood to the rest of the organs, including the brain, kidneys, liver, skeletal muscle, and other vital organs. Through this pumping action, the left ventricle maintains systemic blood pressure at approximately 120 over 80 millimeters of mercury. The brain is particularly sensitive to blood pressure and flow. If the coordinated contraction of ventricles is stopped for only a few seconds, blood pressure drops and consciousness is lost. This sudden loss of consciousness is called syncope. If the mechanical activity of the heart is lost for more than a few minutes, permanent brain damage and death ensue.
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