Functional Investigations: Mechano-Electric Coupling in the Heart

Dr Alex Quinn, Dr Honghua Jin

The heart is an electrically controlled mechanical pump. However, somewhat like an electromotor in dynamo mode, it can also convert mechanical signals into electrically relevant events. This feedback from the heart’s mechanical environment to its electrical behaviour (mechano-electric coupling) complements the more widely known excitation-contraction coupling, forming a regulatory loop that lies ‘at the heart’ of normal and disturbed cardiac function. Our group has long held an active research interest in this area, combining experimental and computational investigations into the interplay of cardiac mechanics and electrics at different levels, from ion channel to whole organ. We coordinate a series of international meetings on the topic (e.g. 2007 and 2010), and edit the textbook on Cardiac Mechano-Electric Coupling and Arrhythmias (2^nd edition to appear at OUP in 2011).

Current investigations are focussed at identifying the mechanisms underlying mechanically-induced introduction and termination of heart rhythm disturbances, in particular aiming to disentangle the roles of local versus global mechanical stimuli.

Funding: EPSRC and BHF.

Recent papers:

• Quinn TA, Bayliss RA, Kohl P. Mechano-electrical feedback in the heart: effects on heart rate and rhythm. In: Tripathi O, Ravens U, Sanguinetti M (Eds.): Heart rate and rhythm: molecular basis, pharmacological modulation and clinical implications. Springer 2011 (in press).
• Sayre MR et al. Part 5: adult basic life support: 2010 international consensus on cardiopulmonary resuscitation and emergency cardiovascular care science with treatment recommendations. Circulation 2010/122:S298-S324 (DOI).
• Pellis T & Kohl P. Extracorporeal cardiac mechanical stimulation: precordial thump and precordial percussion. British Medical Bulletin 2010/93:161-177 (DOI).
• Kohl P, Bollensdorff C & Garny A. Mechano-sensitive ion channels in the heart: experimental and theoretical models. Experimental Physiology 2006; 91: 307-321 (DOI).