Calcium handling abnormalities in atrial fibrillation as a target for innovative therapeutics

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2008 Oct;52(4):293-9. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0b013e318171924d.

Abstract

Atrial electrical and structural alterations (remodeling) have emerged as key elements in the development of the atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate. Evidence points to abnormalities in intracellular Ca (calcium) handling as crucial links in AF-initiating focal activity and in perpetuation by rapidly firing foci and reentry. This review focuses on the molecular basis of altered Ca handling in AF, with the goal of providing new insights into molecular effective antiarrhythmic therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / classification
  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology
  • Atrial Fibrillation / prevention & control
  • Atrial Function*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type / drug effects
  • Contraindications
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Models, Cardiovascular
  • Myocytes, Cardiac / drug effects
  • Pacemaker, Artificial
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tetracaine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Calcium Channels, L-Type
  • Sodium-Calcium Exchanger
  • sodium-calcium exchanger 1
  • Tetracaine
  • Calcium