title: Ion Channels in the Heart.
abstract: Optimal cardiac function depends on proper timing of excitation and contraction in various regions of the heart, as well as on appropriate heart rate. This is accomplished via specialized electrical properties of various components of the system, including the sinoatrial node, atria, atrioventricular node, His-Purkinje system, and ventricles. Here we review the major regionally determined electrical properties of these cardiac regions and present the available data regarding the molecular and ionic bases of regional cardiac function and dysfunction. Understanding these differences is of fundamental importance for the investigation of arrhythmia mechanisms and pharmacotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Bartos
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Grandi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA.
authors.forename: Crystal M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ripplinger
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000818:Animals; D016275:Atrial Function; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016276:Ventricular Function
chemical_list: D007473:Ion Channels