Abstract
Purkinje cells are specialized for rapid propagation in the heart. Furthermore, Purkinje fibers as the source as well as the perpetuator of arrhythmias is a familiar finding. This is not surprising considering their location in the heart and their unique cell ultrastructure, cell electrophysiology, and mode of excitation-contraction coupling. This review touches on each of these points as we outline what is known today about Purkinje fibers/cells.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Action Potentials
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Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology*
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Atrioventricular Node / physiology
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Atrioventricular Node / physiopathology
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Bundle of His / physiology
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Bundle of His / physiopathology
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Calcium / metabolism*
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Calcium Channels / physiology*
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Humans
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Myocardium / cytology*
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Purkinje Fibers / cytology
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Purkinje Fibers / physiology*
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Purkinje Fibers / physiopathology
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Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism