Cardiac gap junctions and connexins: their role in atrial fibrillation and potential as therapeutic targets.
Cardiovasc Res
; 54(2): 270-9, 2002 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-12062332
ABSTRACT
In the heart, changes in velocity and in patterns of conduction of myocardial electrical activity can affect cardiac rhythm and the coordination of contraction. Abnormal electrical coupling between cardiomyocytes through gap junctions is, therefore, considered an important factor in various pathophysiologic conditions. In the present report we summarize the literature on gap junctions and their structural proteins, the connexins, in the normal and fibrillating atrium. Putative implications of the recently reported remodelling of atrial gap junctions for stability of the arrhythmia will be discussed. Also the reversibility of the remodelling process will be addressed in the light of a potentially new therapeutic target for controlling the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF).
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Fibrilação Atrial
/
Junções Comunicantes
/
Conexinas
/
Miocárdio
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2002
Tipo de documento:
Article