The effects of MnCl2 on outward currents in frog atrial muscle were investigated under voltage-clamp conditions. MnCl2 (3 mmol/L), which completely abolished the slow inward current, produced a decrease in the outward background current (Ib) at potentials positive to -50 mV. The delayed outward current (Ix, time dependent) was not altered by Mn. "Isochronic activation curves" for Ix and decay of current tails at -40 mV remained unaffected after Mn. Effects on Ib probably reflect a decrease in IK1 related to the decrease in Ca influx as well as a reduction in the Na-Ca exchange current.

Latissimus dorsi cardiomyoplasty was performed in 8 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, normal coronary arteries and functional mitral regurgitation graded as mild or moderate. Patients were studied by equilibrium-gated angiography 1 week before operation and 4 months later. The functional mitral regurgitation was assessed by the ventricular amplitude ratio (VAR) derived from the Fourier amplitude image. One patient died of ventricular arrhythmia 5 months following operation. In the other 7 patients the clinical status improved from the New York Heart Association functional class III or IV to the functional class I or II. The left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) changed from 25 ± 7 to 26 ± 6%. The postoperative end-diastolic volume index was 78 ± 11 % of the preoperative value, and the VAR decreased from 2.01 ± 0.54 to 1.49 ± 0.59 (p < 0.005). Our results suggest that in patients with severely depressed myocardial contractility the main short-term effect of dynamic cardiomyoplasty should be the reduction in the left ventricular diameters. Secondary to this effect, the functional mitral regurgitation would be reduced and the cardiac performance improved, although the global EF would not be modified.

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Methods: Brugada-type ECG in healthy men included in the Quebec Cardiovascular Study was assessed by systematic review of all (4374 men, 46±8 years old) ECGs done between 1974 and 1985. Classification of BS was made according to three different repolarization patterns: Type 1 is characterized by a coved ST-SE ≥2mm followed by a negative T-wave. Type 2 represents a high take-off ST-SE (≥2mm) with a descending ST-SE (remaining ≥1mm above the baseline) followed by a positive T-wave. Type 3 shows a right precordial ST-SE <1mm.