title: Cholesterol and cardiac arrhythmias.
abstract: Cardiac arrhythmias are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Ventricular arrhythmias are reportedly responsible for the majority of sudden cardiac deaths and atrial fibrillation is responsible for 15% of all strokes in the USA. Recent evidence suggests a role for cholesterol in the development of these arrhythmias. In addition to its association with atherosclerotic plaques, high cholesterol has been shown to cause changes in membrane properties, including the function of hormone receptors, ion channels and pumps. These effects are mediated through direct interactions between cholesterol and the membrane proteins, through changes in membrane fluidity and/or an association with lipid rafts. Cholesterol-lowering therapy, therefore, may prove an effective method for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs, have been frequently shown to protect against ventricular arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation. Some of this protection may stem from their cholesterol-lowering activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: Charitha L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Goonasekara
authors.forename: Elise
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Balse
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatem
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Steele
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fedida
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D016623:Ion Pumps / Q000378:metabolism; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000502:physiology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D021381:Protein Transport; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007473:Ion Channels; D016623:Ion Pumps; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D002784:Cholesterol