[Sodium channel changes in human atrial cells isolated from various ages].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate if the increased incidence of atrial fibrillation with age was associated with changes of Na(+) channel in atrial myocytes.


METHODS
Twenty-three patients underwent valve replacement operations were divided into adult [< 60 years, n = 15, 9 males, mean age (42.1 +/- 7.1) years] and aged group [> or = 60 years, n = 8, 5 males, mean age (63.3 +/- 3.1) years]. All patients were in normal sinus rhythm. Whole cell patch clamp techniques were used to record the Na(+) currents (I(Na)) of right auricle myocytes.


RESULTS
Both current density and time-dependent recovery of I(Na) were similar in the cells from the 2 groups. Voltage-dependent inactivation of I(Na) of myocytes in the aged atria was shifted to more positive voltages.


CONCLUSIONS
Current density of I(Na) was similar between the 2 age groups, and Na(+) channel might not be an important determinant for the increased incidence of atrial fibrillation in aged patients.
Li
Qi-yong
QY
Department of Cardiology, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu 610072, China.
Jiang
Rong-jian
RJ
Chen
Li
L
Kong
Hong
H
Lai
Jin-chuan
JC
Cheng
Biao
B
Shu
Yan
Y
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D032383:Myocytes, Cardiac / Q000378:metabolism*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000032:analysis*
D015222:Sodium Channels