Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II causes atrial structural remodeling associated with atrial fibrillation and heart failure

– Atrial fibrillation (AF) is sustained by reentrant mechanisms that depend, in part, on atrial structural remodeling. Increased Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity occurs in persistent AF. A general consensus has been that electrophysiological actions of CaMKII must be t he contributing factor, but electrical remodeling in AF differs considerably with electrophysiological effects of CaMKII. CaMKII has been associated with structural remodeling in several tissues, but not the cardiac atria.
Source: Heart Rhythm - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research