Potassium Channel Remodeling in Heart Disease

Publication date: Available online 18 March 2016 Source:Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics Author(s): Vincent Algalarrondo, Stanley NattelTeaser Heart disease produces substantial remodeling of K+ channels that in general promotes arrhythmia occurrence. In the case of ventricular arrhythmias, K+ channel remodeling contributes to the arrhythmic risk and increases vulnerability to torsades de pointes with K+ channel inhibiting drugs. Atrial K+ channel remodeling caused by atrial fibrillation promotes arrhythmia stability and presents opportunities for the development of new drugs targeting atrial inward rectifier K+ currents. A better understanding of K+ channel remodeling will help clinicians to appreciate arrhythmia mechanisms and determinants in a variety of clinical situations and to better manage arrhythmia therapy in patients with heart disease.
Source: Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research