Electropharmacological effects of antiarrhythmic drugs on atrial fibrillation termination. Part I: Molecular and ionic fundamentals of antiarrhythmic drug actions.
In the last few years many studies have been performed with the aim of gaining a better understanding of the pathophysiological nature of atrial fibrillation. These recent observations provide new insights into the initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation, underlying the importance of the pulmonary veins as major sources of atrial triggers and introducing new concepts such as the atrial electrical remodeling and the spatial heterogeneity of the electrophysiological characteristics of this arrhythmia. The increasing knowledge about the cardiac ion channel structure and function and about the electrophysiological actions of the antiarrhythmic drugs may contribute to a better comprehension of the mechanisms of the pharmacological termination of the arrhythmia. In part I of the review we try to give a unified vision of the old models and new concepts about the molecular and ionic fundamentals of antiarrhythmic drug actions.
Calò
Leonardo
L
Department of Cardiac Diseases, San Filippo Neri Hospital, Rome, Italy. leonardo.calo@tin.it
Sciarra
Luigi
L
Lamberti
Filippo
F
Loricchio
Maria Luisa
ML
Castro
Antonio
A
Bianconi
Leopoldo
L
Pandozi
Claudio
C
Gaita
Fiorenzo
F
Santini
Massimo
M
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D007473:Ion Channels