PMID: 18729007Aug 30, 2008Paper

Induced ion currents and the endothelin pathway as targets for anti-arrhythmic agents

Current Opinion in Investigational Drugs
De-Zai Dai, Yin Dai

Abstract

The development of novel anti-arrhythmic drugs is necessary, specifically agents that do not cause torsades de pointes (Tdp). Ion channelopathy that is involved in mechanisms underlying sudden cardiac death (SCD) includes both ion channels in the membrane, and the calcium-releasing channels and the calcium uptake process in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Advances in the understanding of abnormalities of ion channels in the myocardium caused by congenital defects or by a failing heart and cardiomyopathy offer further insights into the relationship between channelopathy and SCD. Enhanced L-type Ca2+ current (ICa.L) activity has been detected in the hearts of patients with a mutation of the Cav1.2 gene; these patients exhibit a high risk of SCD. Rats with thyroxin-induced cardiomyopathy demonstrate an increase in ICa.L activity that is responsible for exacerbated ventricular fibrillation (VF). This is suppressed by propranolol or CPU-86017, a class III anti-arrhythmic agent with potent antioxidant activity. Interestingly, an increase in rapidly (IKr) and slowly (IKs) activating delayed rectifying K+ currents is caused by gain-of-function mutations of the KCNH2 and KCNQ1 genes, respectively, in patients with short QT syndrome (SQT). I...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle, that can lead to muscular or electrical dysfunction of the heart. It is often an irreversible disease that is associated with a poor prognosis. There are different causes and classifications of cardiomyopathies. Here are the latest discoveries pertaining to this disease.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanisms of Action

Understanding the mechanism of action of antiarrhythmic agents is essential in developing new medications as treatment of cardiac arrhythmias is currently limited by the reduced availability of safe and effective drugs. Discover the latest research on Antiarrhythmic Agents: Mechanism of Action here.

Anti-Arrhythmic Drug Therapies

Anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to prevent abnormal heart rhythms. These medications are used in conditions including, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and atrial fibrillation. Discover the latest research on anti-arrhythmic drug therapies here.

Calcium & Bioenergetics

Bioenergetic processes, including cellular respiration and photosynthesis, concern the transformation of energy by cells. Here is the latest research on the role of calcium in bioenergetics.

© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved