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In a normally functioning heart, the SA (sinoatrial) node is the pacemaker of the heart, but if it is nonfunctional then the AV (atrioventricular) node would take over. If it isn't working either then the Bundle of His can trigger contractions, and if it isn't working the Perkinje fibers can trigger contractions. Each progressive one has a slower intrinsic heart rate.

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What effect does hypocalcemia have on the cardiac action potential?

Hypocalcemia can lead to a prolongation of the cardiac action potential due to reduced calcium influx. This can result in an increased risk of arrhythmias, as well as potential impairment of cardiac muscle contractility.


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The action potential of cardiac muscle is prolonged consisting of the depolarization spike and plateau and a repolarization period. The action potential causes a long refractory period of about 250-400 milliseconds in the heart.


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Basically, the cardiac action potential travel across them, making it easier for the electrical impulses to move quickely.


In cardiac muscle the fast depolarization phase of action potential is the result of?

increased membrane permeability to sodium ions


Allow spread of action potential between cardiac fibers?

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Where do most action potentials originate?

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