Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
09:35
Preclinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Assessment by Dual Voltage and Calcium Optical Mapping of Human Organotypic Cardiac Slices
Published on: June 16, 2020
Electrophysiological changes in heart failure and their implications for arrhythmogenesis
R Coronel1, Ronald Wilders, Arie O Verkerk
1Department of Experimental Cardiology, Heart Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|April 13, 2013
Summary
Heart failure leads to dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. This review covers electrophysiological changes, calcium handling, fibrosis, and right ventricular failure, crucial for understanding sudden cardiac death.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
Background:
- Heart failure is a common endpoint for cardiac diseases, often leading to sudden cardiac death.
- Ventricular arrhythmias are a primary cause of mortality in heart failure patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the electrophysiological remodeling and intracellular calcium handling alterations in heart failure.
- To identify arrhythmogenic mechanisms, including intercellular uncoupling and fibrosis.
- To discuss modulating factors and the understudied area of right ventricular failure.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on electrophysiological remodeling.
- Analysis of intracellular calcium handling in heart failure.
- Synthesis of information on fibrosis and intercellular uncoupling.
Main Results:
- Electrophysiological remodeling and altered calcium handling contribute to arrhythmias.
- Intercellular uncoupling and fibrosis are key arrhythmogenic factors.
- Diet and ventricular wall stretch influence heart failure progression.
Conclusions:
- Understanding these mechanisms is vital for managing heart failure and preventing sudden cardiac death.
- Further research into right ventricular failure is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Mechanism 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.
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
Systolic Heart Failure and Compensatory MechanismsSystolic heart failure (also termed HFrEF, Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction) is the most prevalent type of heart filure. It results in a decreased volume of blood being pumped from the ventricle. The aortic arch and carotid sinuses have baroreceptors that detect reduced blood pressure, triggering the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to release epinephrine and norepinephrine. Initially, this response aims to boost heart rate and...
01:19Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
The normal cardiac rhythm is a synchronized electrical activity that facilitates the regular and coordinated contraction of the heart muscle. This process is essential for efficient blood circulation throughout the body. The fundamental elements involved in establishing and maintaining this rhythm include the unique electrical properties of cardiac muscle cells, the sinoatrial (SA) node's pacemaker function, the specialized conducting system, and the ionic mechanisms underlying each phase of...
01:27Heart Failure I: Introduction
Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...