Rocca of the Rock. Interview by Tim Rice.
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Gibraltar↗
Biomedical subjects
J Rocca
Publications and source records attributed to J Rocca.
[The supernormal phase of cardiac conduction. An experimental study in the dog].
The existence of a cardiac phase of supernormal excitability is not fully proved at the cellular level. As far as the whole heart is concerned, the phenomenon of supernormal conduction is still under discussion. Intracardiac conduction has been studied both in the right atrium (13 dogs) and in the right ventricle (14 dogs) by programmed stimulation (extrastimulus technique), while monophasic action potential (MAP) was recorded. The phenomenon of supernormal conduction was noted in 67.7% of cases, starting at 59.0% and ending at 78.0% of the basic cycle, hence occuring shortly after phase 3 of the MAP. In the ventricle, a phase of supernormal conduction was present in 52.4% of cases, starting at 66.1% and ending at 77.9% of the basic cycle. After ajmaline, the supernormal conduction was moved towards the end of the cycle. The mechanism of supernormal conduction, and its implications in the study of arrhythmias are discussed.
Action Potentials↗
What does the intern do?
A minute-by minute professional work study was undertaken on three interns at the Royal Adelaide Hospital from Monday to Friday of three consecutive working weeks in December, 1972. The clinics studied were general medical, general surgical and urological. There are obvious major limitations in extrapolating the results of this study beyong the hospital involved at the time of year concerned. Nevertheless, allowing for this factor, it is probably a matter of general principle that there is excessive disproportion between the time spent by an intern in clinical work, contrasted with the time spent in clinical activity, transit, and waiting time. It is suggested that the work of an intern needs more support by better secretarial and similar facilities.
Australia↗