Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Transesophageal Atrial Burst Pacing for Atrial Fibrillation Induction in Rats
05:12

Transesophageal Atrial Burst Pacing for Atrial Fibrillation Induction in Rats

Published on: February 14, 2022

3.8K

Calcium in the Pathophysiology of Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

Nathan C Denham1, Charles M Pearman1, Jessica L Caldwell1

  • 1Unit of Cardiac Physiology, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.

Frontiers in Physiology
|October 20, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Calcium dysregulation plays a key role in atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure. Understanding calcium handling in the atria is crucial for breaking the cycle between these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Calcium Signaling

Background:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure share a bidirectional relationship.
  • AF exacerbates heart failure, increasing symptoms, hospitalizations, and mortality.
  • Heart failure-induced atrial remodeling elevates AF risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the fundamental role of calcium in AF induction and maintenance.
  • To explore the pathophysiology linking heart failure and AF through calcium handling.
  • To discuss limitations in current research.

Main Methods:

  • Review of latest evidence on atrial electrophysiology and calcium handling.
  • Analysis of calcium-dependent afterdepolarizations and repolarization alternans.
  • Examination of atrial response to rapid stimulation and calcium overload.

Main Results:

  • Calcium is central to AF initiation and persistence.
  • Diastolic calcium leak contributes to afterdepolarizations and AF substrate.
  • Heart failure alters atrial calcium handling, promoting AF, particularly in pulmonary veins.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive understanding of calcium's role is essential to address the AF-heart failure cycle.
  • Targeting calcium handling may offer therapeutic strategies.
  • Further research is needed to reconcile human and animal study findings.

Keywords:
atrial fibrillationcalciumheart failurepathophysiologyt-tubules

More Related Videos

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation28:13

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 26, 2013

34.1K
The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

84.5K

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure II: Pathophysiology01:29

Heart 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...
929
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

Pathophysiology 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...
3.7K
Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

Heart 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...
886
Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies01:22

Heart Failure VI: Adjunct Therapies

Additional therapies for treating patients with heart failure (HF) may include procedural interventions, supplemental oxygen, the management of sleep disorders, and nutritional therapy.Procedural InterventionsImplantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator: For patients at risk of life-threatening arrhythmias due to severe left ventricular dysfunction, an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) can detect and terminate these arrhythmias, preventing sudden cardiac death and improving survival rates.
340
Amyloid Fibrils03:03

Amyloid Fibrils

Amyloid fibrils are aggregates of misfolded proteins.  Under most circumstances, misfolded proteins are either refolded by chaperone proteins or degraded by the proteasome. However, in the case of a mutation or a disease, these proteins can accumulate to form large clusters and often further assemble to form elongated fibers, called fibrils. 
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen.   In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
11.9K
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...
971