Pronounced effects of HERG-blockers E-4031 and erythromycin on APD, spatial APD dispersion and triangulation in transgenic long-QT type 1 rabbits

Prolongation of action potential duration (APD), increased spatial APD dispersion, and triangulation are major factors promoting drug-induced ventricular arrhythmia. Preclinical identification of HERG/IKr-blocking drugs and their pro-arrhythmic potential, however, remains a challenge. We hypothesize that transgenic long-QT type 1 (LQT1) rabbits lacking repolarizing IKs current may help to sensitively detect HERG/IKr-blocking properties of drugs. Hearts of adult female transgenic LQT1 and wild type littermate control (LMC) rabbits were Langendorff-perfused with increasing concentrations of HERG/IKr-blockers E-4031 (0.001-0.1 µM, n=9/7) or erythromycin (1-300 µM, n=9/7) and APD, APD dispersion, and triangulation were analyzed. At baseline, APD was longer in LQT1 than in LMC rabbits in LV apex and RV mid. Erythromycin and E-4031 prolonged APD in LQT1 and LMC rabbits in all positions. However, erythromycin-induced percentaged APD prolongation related to baseline (%APD) was more pronounced in LQT1 at LV base-lateral and RV mid positions (100 µM, LQT1, +40.6 ± 9.7% vs. LMC, +24.1 ± 10.0%, p