Targeting sodium channels in cardiac arrhythmia.
Cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels are responsible for proper electrical conduction in the heart. During acquired pathological conditions and inherited sodium channelopathies, altered sodium channel function causes conduction disturbances and ventricular arrhythmias. Although the clinical, genetic and biophysical characteristics of cardiac sodium channel disease have been extensively studied, limited progress has been made in the development of treatment strategies targeting sodium channels. Classical non-selective sodium channel blockers have only limited clinical applicability, while more selective inhibitors of the late sodium current constitute a more promising treatment option. Because of our insufficient understanding of their complexity and subcellular diversity, other specific therapeutic targets for modulating sodium channels remain elusive. The current status and future potential of targeting sodium channels in cardiac arrhythmias are discussed.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: c.a.remme@amc.uva.nl.
Carol Ann
CA
Remme
Department of Clinical and Experimental Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Arthur A M
AA
Wilde
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D062554:NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D062554:NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel; C568320:SCN5A protein, human; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers