Calcium handling and atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia in the clinical setting. It is associated with substantial cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Recent research has indicated that abnormal Ca(2+) handling plays a critical role in the induction and maintenance of AF, contributing to ectopic activity, AF-maintaining reentry circuits and related prothrombotic atrial hypocontractility. The AF-specific Ca(2+)-handling abnormalities may constitute viable therapeutic approaches to treat AF. Here, we review the causes, consequences, and therapeutic implications of altered atrial Ca(2+) handling for AF pathophysiology.
Division of Experimental Cardiology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Theodor-Kutzer-Ufer 1-3, 68167 Mannheim, Germany.
Jordi
J
Heijman
Niels
N
Voigt
Stanley
S
Nattel
Dobromir
D
Dobrev
D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018880:Atrial Premature Complexes / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D032342:Muscle Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012519:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / Q000502:physiology; D013611:Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; D053498:Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases; D002118:Calcium