Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias

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.

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Disturbances in Heart Rhythm

Arrhythmia or dysrhythmia refers to an abnormal heart rhythm caused by a defect in the heart's conduction system. It can cause the heart to beat irregularly, too quickly, or too slowly, leading to symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, and fainting. Factors such as stress, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, certain drugs, congenital defects, diseases, and electrolyte abnormalities can trigger arrhythmias.
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...

Mitochondrial Membranes

Mitochondrial Membranes

A single mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle enclosed by a double-membrane system. The outer membrane of mitochondria is smooth and contains many porins - the integral membrane transporters. Porins enable free diffusion of ions and small uncharged molecules through the outer mitochondrial membrane but limit the transport of molecules larger than 5000 Daltons. Further, the outer mitochondrial membrane forms a unique structure called membrane contact sites with other subcellular organelles,...

Mitochondrial Membranes

Mitochondrial Membranes

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

ECG 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...

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

Electron Transport Chain: Complex I and II

The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is the main energy generation system in the eukaryotic cells. However, mitochondria also produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to the large electron flow during oxidative phosphorylation. While Complex I is one of the primary sources of superoxide radicals, ROS production by Complex II is uncommon and may only be observed in cancer cells with mutated complexes.
ROS generation is regulated and maintained at moderate levels necessary...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Targeting fibroblast TXNDC5 resolves tumor desmoplasia and PD-1 resistance in colorectal cancer with mesenchymal traits.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

O-SNAP uncovers nanoscale chromatin remodeling in dedifferentiation and stress responses.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

NT-proBNP-Based Heart Failure Risk Score for Asymptomatic Diabetic Population in Asia: The DM-HEART Study.

JACC. Asia·2026

Same author

Combined Curcumin and Doxorubicin Induce Apoptosis via JNK-Dependent MAPK Signaling Independent of TXNDC5 in Human Osteosarcoma Cells.

Nutrients·2026

Same author

Nanomedicine-based theranostics in atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Journal of biomedical science·2026

Same author

Cardiac Sodium Channel Regulation: A Potential New Therapeutic Target in Cardiomyopathy.

Circulation research·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Uncovering the Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Phosphate in Heart Failure and Bioenergetics

Author Spotlight: Uncovering the Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Phosphate in Heart Failure and Bioenergetics

Published on: August 23, 2024

Mitochondria and arrhythmias.

Kai-Chien Yang¹, Marcelo G Bonini², Samuel C Dudley¹

¹Lifespan Cardiovascular Institute, Providence VA Medical Center, and Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA.

Free Radical Biology & Medicine

|April 10, 2014

Summary

Mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to cardiac arrhythmias by disrupting energy production and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Targeting mitochondria with antioxidants may offer a new therapy for heart rhythm disorders.

Keywords:

Calcium Free radicals Heart Ion channels Reactive oxygen species Sudden death

More Related Videos

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Published on: January 19, 2017

Real-Time Measurement of the Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Profile of Neutrophils

Published on: June 2, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 1, 2026

Author Spotlight: Uncovering the Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Phosphate in Heart Failure and Bioenergetics

Author Spotlight: Uncovering the Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Phosphate in Heart Failure and Bioenergetics

Published on: August 23, 2024

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Phosphorus-31 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy: A Tool for Measuring In Vivo Mitochondrial Oxidative Phosphorylation Capacity in Human Skeletal Muscle

Published on: January 19, 2017

Real-Time Measurement of the Mitochondrial Bioenergetic Profile of Neutrophils

Published on: June 2, 2023

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Mitochondrial Biology
Electrophysiology

Background:

Mitochondria are vital for cardiac energy production via ATP synthesis.
Mitochondrial dysfunction impairs ion homeostasis and membrane excitability in cardiomyocytes.
Dysfunctional mitochondria are linked to an increased risk of cardiac arrhythmias.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the molecular mechanisms connecting mitochondrial dysfunction to cardiac arrhythmias.
To emphasize the role of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cardiac ion channel and transporter function.
To highlight mitochondria-targeted antioxidants as a potential antiarrhythmia therapy.

Main Methods:

Literature review focusing on molecular mechanisms.
Analysis of the impact of mitochondrial ROS on cardiac ion channels and transporters.
Discussion of therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondria.

Main Results:

Mitochondrial dysfunction, through reduced ATP and increased ROS, adversely affects cardiac electrical activity.
Elevated mitochondrial ROS directly impacts ion channels and transporters crucial for cardiomyocyte function.
This dysfunction increases the susceptibility to cardiac arrhythmias.

Conclusions:

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a key contributor to the development of cardiac arrhythmias.
Targeting mitochondrial ROS with antioxidants presents a promising novel therapeutic approach for managing heart rhythm disorders.