METHODS: The outward K+ -currents were recorded in human atrial myocytes isolated from patients undergoing open heart surgery. The electrophysiological characteristics of the voltage-dependent outward currents were investigated using a whole-cell patchclamp technique.

RESULTS: Using depolarizing step pulses, the transient outward currents were activated within 10 msec, which slowly inactivated thereafter. After inactivation, the sustained components of the outward currents remained for up to 5.0 seconds of depolarizing step pulses. While the inactivating component was almost completely inactivated at potentials >+30 mV, the non-inactivating component showed only 10-15% inactivation. The non-inactivating component was highly sensitive to 4-AP and was inhibited by >80% at a concentration of 0.2 mM, while the inactivating component was inhibited by only 25%. The delayed rectifier potassium currents were not recorded. The ratios of the amplitudes of the inactivating and non-inactivating components varied.

CONCLUSION: Two components of the voltage dependent outward K+ currents in human cardiac tissue were identified, which could be separated according to their kinetic and pharmacologic properties.