Wednesday, August 21, 2013

reAltered Excitation-Contraction Coupling in Human Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

Citation : Eleonora Grandi, Antony J. Workman, Sandeep V. Pandit

This review focuses on the (mal)adaptive processes in atrial excitation-contraction coupling occurring in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation. Cellular remodeling includes shortening of the atrial action potential duration and effective refractory period, depressed intracellular Ca2+ transient, and reduced myocyte contractility. Here we summarize the current knowledge of the ionic bases underlying these changes. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of excitation-contraction-coupling remodeling in the fibrillating human atria is important to identify new potential targets for AF therapy.

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