European scientists investigated which biological phenomena are responsible for the heart condition known as atrial fibrillation (AF). The results have implications for disease management and treatment.
AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and currently there are no efficient treatments. AF is associated with abnormal calcium release by the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in human atrial myocytes (HAMs). However, the precise aetiology behind this observation remains unknown.
Further information: The molecular aetiology of cardiac arrhythmia