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Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias01:28

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers01:22

Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers

Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat various types of arrhythmias or irregular heart rhythms. These drugs block the sodium (Na+) channels in the cardiac cells, thereby affecting the movement of electrical impulses across the heart. Class I antiarrhythmic drugs are divided into three subgroups: Class IA, Class IB, and Class IC, each with distinct mechanisms of action and effects on the heart.
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Dysrhythmias I: Introduction01:15

Dysrhythmias I: Introduction

Dysrhythmias refers to abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. They result from disruptions in the heart's electrical conduction system, which includes the sinoatrial(SA)node, atrioventricular(AV) node, the bundle of His, bundle branches, and Purkinje fibers.Definition and PathophysiologyDysrhythmias result from disorders of impulse formation, impulse conduction, or both. The heart contains specialized cells in the sinoatrial node, atrioventricular node, and the bundle of His and Purkinje fibers...
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias01:25

Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias

Dysrhythmia management involves a multifaceted approach, incorporating pharmacological treatments, medical procedures, surgical interventions, lifestyle modifications, and patient education.Pharmacological ManagementAntiarrhythmic Drugs:Class I (Sodium Channel Blockers): This class includes quinidine and procainamide, which reduce the speed of impulse conduction in the heart, stabilize the cardiac membrane, and control arrhythmias. Quinidine and procainamide are Class IA agents that prolong the...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...
Voltage-gated Ion Channels01:26

Voltage-gated Ion Channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are transmembrane proteins that open and close in response to changes in the membrane potential. They are present on the membranes of all electrically excitable cells such as neurons, heart, and muscle cells.
Generally, all voltage-gated ion channels have a 'voltage-sensing domain' that spans the lipid bilayer. The charged residues in the sensor move in response to the membrane potential changes that open the channel allowing ions movement. There are several types of...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
11:32

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 28, 2016

Sodium channel (dys)function and cardiac arrhythmias.

Carol Ann Remme1, Connie R Bezzina

  • 1Heart Failure Research Center, Department of Experimental Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. c.a.remme@amc.uva.nl

Cardiovascular Therapeutics
|July 22, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Cardiac sodium channels control heart electrical activity. Dysfunction, due to mutations or disease, causes arrhythmias, with limited treatment options currently available.

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Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
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Isolation and Kv Channel Recordings in Murine Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
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Isolation and Kv Channel Recordings in Murine Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry
11:32

Determination of the Relative Cell Surface and Total Expression of Recombinant Ion Channels Using Flow Cytometry

Published on: September 28, 2016

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique
08:11

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Published on: November 11, 2022

Isolation and Kv Channel Recordings in Murine Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes
11:33

Isolation and Kv Channel Recordings in Murine Atrial and Ventricular Cardiomyocytes

Published on: March 12, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology

Background:

  • Cardiac voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav1.5) are crucial transmembrane proteins in cardiomyocytes.
  • They mediate the rapid influx of sodium ions, responsible for the upstroke of the cardiac action potential.
  • Proper function is essential for myocardial excitability and electrical impulse conduction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide an overview of cardiac sodium channel structure and function.
  • To discuss clinical and biophysical characteristics of inherited and acquired sodium channel dysfunction.
  • To review current therapeutic options for cardiac sodium channel diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on cardiac sodium channels.
  • Analysis of clinical data related to arrhythmias and sodium channelopathies.
  • Examination of biophysical properties and genetic mutations (e.g., SCN5A) affecting sodium channel function.

Main Results:

  • Altered sodium channel function in conditions like ischemia and heart failure leads to conduction disturbances and arrhythmias.
  • Mutations in the SCN5A gene are linked to various inherited arrhythmia syndromes.
  • Sodium channel dysfunction significantly impacts cardiac electrical activity, increasing arrhythmia risk.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac sodium channels are vital for normal heart rhythm.
  • Dysfunction, whether inherited or acquired, underlies serious cardiac arrhythmias.
  • Current therapeutic strategies for cardiac sodium channel disease remain limited.