Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026
10:21
Scanning Electron Microscopy of Macerated Tissue to Visualize the Extracellular Matrix
Published on: June 14, 2016
10.8K
Fibrosis: a structural modulator of sinoatrial node physiology and dysfunction.
Thomas A Csepe1, Anuradha Kalyanasundaram1, Brian J Hansen1
1Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Columbus, OH, USA.
Frontiers in Physiology
|March 3, 2015
Summary
Fibrosis in the heart's pacemaker (Sinoatrial Node, SAN) affects heart rate and rhythm. Increased SAN fibrosis is linked to arrhythmias and heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
- Pathology
Background:
- The Sinoatrial Node (SAN) initiates and regulates heart rhythm.
- SAN is a complex structure with specialized cells and surrounding fibrosis.
- Intranodal fibrosis modulates SAN structure and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of fibrosis in normal SAN structure and function.
- To discuss the causes and consequences of increased SAN fibrosis in disease.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on SAN fibrosis.
- Analysis of the relationship between fibrosis, age, heart size, and heart rate.
- Examination of pathological implications of SAN fibrosis.
Main Results:
- SAN fibrosis increases with age and heart size, inversely correlating with heart rate.
- Fibrosis insulates the SAN and restricts electrical conduction.
- Pathological fibrosis is linked to various arrhythmias and cardiac diseases.
Conclusions:
- SAN fibrosis is a critical factor in maintaining normal heart rhythm.
- Upregulation of SAN fibrosis contributes to cardiac arrhythmias and heart failure.
- Understanding SAN fibrosis is crucial for diagnosing and treating cardiac conditions.
Keywords:
agingatrial fibrillationexit blockfibrosisheart failuresinoatrial nodesinoatrial reentrysinus node dysfunctionMore Related Videos
09:32Methods for the Isolation, Culture, and Functional Characterization of Sinoatrial Node Myocytes from Adult Mice
Published on: October 23, 2016
14.6K
09:20Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
Published on: July 5, 2021
3.8K
Related Concept Videos
01:29Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology
1.5K
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...
1.5K
01:17Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
4.8K
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...
4.8K
01:19Electrophysiology of Normal Cardiac Rhythm
10.6K
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...
10.6K
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
2.7K
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.
2.7K
01:22Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
1.6K
Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
1.6K
01:20Conduction System of the Heart
5.8K
The cardiac conduction system produces and transmits electrical impulses that prompt myocardial contraction, ensuring efficient heart function. This intricate system ensures that the heart beats in a coordinated and efficient manner, beginning with the atria and then the ventricles. The conduction system optimizes cardiac output by maintaining this precise sequence, which is crucial for adequate blood circulation.
This system relies on the unique properties of nodal and Purkinje cells:...
This system relies on the unique properties of nodal and Purkinje cells:...
5.8K