Friday, January 28, 2022

The electrophysiology of cardiac action potential in non-pacemaker cells: watch the video

 The “heart” of the functioning of the heart is the fast cell to cell communication between the cardiac myocytes. Upon generation of the pacemaker potential, the impulse is transmitted electrically to the adjacent cells. An action potential begins with rapid firing of fast Na+ channels resulting in rapid depolarisation (phase 0), following which there is an early repolarisation (phase 1). In the phase 2, Ca++ moves into the cells triggering massive release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum. And the cell contracts...

Delve into the depths of the molecular mechanism of the cardiac action potential. Click the 

https://youtu.be/tHttyFRjddM

Sunday, January 9, 2022

The mid life crisis in the life of a women. What can we do to help her?

A 45 year old lady presents with the chief complaint of irregular menses. She had amenorrohoea for the last three months but 10 days back the periods started with heavy menstrual bleeding and was still continuing. She had one living child aged 20 years. An abdominal ultrasound revealed no obvious abnormality that could explain the heavy menstrual bleeding. Her thyroid status was euthyroid. She has no history of any comorbid condition. What is the most likely diagnosis?    What treatment would you suggest for the patient?

Lidocaine and phenytoin- both are sodium channel blockers. Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic and an anti-arrhythmic. Phenytoin is an anticonvulsant. What explains their differential action? Is it because of their difference in pharmacokinetics.

 Drugs, more than often, have multiple actions. The ability of drugs to interact with different targets and sometimes same target in differe...