[Hypothermia induced alteration of refractoriness in the ventricular myocardium of ground souirrel Citellus undulatus].

Bioelectrical activity and refractoriness in ventricular myocardium of the hibernator--ground squirrel Citellus undulatus were investigated during hypothermia. Experiments were performed with use of isolated, perfused preparations of papillary muscle from right ventricular. Preparations were obtained from hibernating (HS), summer active (SAS) squirrels and from rats. Bioelectrical activity was registered using the standard microelectrode technique at 37-17 degrees C. Action potentials duration (APD), refractoriness duration (RD) and the velocity of the action potential wave front (dV/dt) were estimated. Hypothermia induced APD and RD prolongation were demonstrated in all groups of experimental animals. However, normalized RD was significantly longer in the HS group during hypothermia than in SAS and rats. Ratio of RD to APD in HS group exceeds unity at 17 degrees C, which allows to suggest so called "postrepolarization refractoriness" during hypothermia. Also, HS reveal more prominent preservation of dV/dt during hypothermia than SAS and rat. Significant prolongation of RD and maintenance of normal excitation conduction during hypothermia probably plays essential role in hibernators resistivity to cold induced arrhythmias.