To block or not to block: Targeting SK channels in diseased hearts

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia, affecting more than 1% of general population and reaching over 10% in advanced age in the USA. Atrial fibrillation drastically increases the risk of stroke and promotes development of cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Existing pharmacological approaches using β-blockers and inhibitors of Na+, Ca2+ and K+ channels to treat AF are effective only in 50% of cases. Furthermore, these drugs could affect ventricular tissue promoting proarrhythmic changes in electrical conduction, intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, or action potential duration (APD).
Source: Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology - Category: Cytology Authors: Source Type: research