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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Assessment of Myofilament Ca2+ Sensitivity Underlying Cardiac Excitation-contraction Coupling
Published on: August 1, 2016
Increased myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity and arrhythmia susceptibility
Sabine Huke1, Björn C Knollmann
1Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232-0575, USA.
Abstract:
Increased myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity is a common attribute of many inherited and acquired cardiomyopathies that are associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Accumulating evidence supports the concept that increased myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity is an independent risk factor for arrhythmias. This review describes and discusses potential underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms how myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity affects cardiac excitation and leads to the generation of arrhythmias. Emphasized are downstream effects of increased myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity: altered Ca(2+) buffering/handling, impaired energy metabolism and increased mechanical stretch, and how they may contribute to arrhythmogenesis.
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