PhysiologyTier 2Medical Sciences concept

Cardiac action potential phases - ion currents

Core concept

PhaseEventMain current
0Rapid depolarisationFast Na+ influx (INa)
1Early rapid repolarisationTransient outward K+ (Ito)
2PlateauCa2+ influx (L-type, ICaL) balanced by K+ efflux
3RepolarisationK+ efflux (IKr, IKs)
4Resting / pacemakerIK1 (resting); If ("funny current") in nodal tissue

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