Effect of carvedilol on atrial excitation-contraction coupling, Ca<sup>2+</sup> release, and arrhythmogenicity
Elizabeth Martínez‐Hernández, Lothar A. Blatter
Abstract
Here we show that the clinically widely used β-blocker carvedilol has profound effects on Ca 2+ signaling and ion currents, but also antiarrhythmic effects in adult atrial myocytes. Carvedilol inhibits sodium and calcium currents and leads to failure of ECC but also prevents spontaneous Ca 2+ release from cellular sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ stores in form of arrhythmogenic Ca 2+ waves. The antiarrhythmic effect occurs by carvedilol acting directly on the SR ryanodine receptor Ca 2+ release channel.
Topics & Concepts
Ryanodine receptorCarvedilolEndoplasmic reticulumChemistryCalciumExcitation–contraction couplingInternal medicineContraction (grammar)BiophysicsMyocyteChannel blockerHeart failureMedicineBiologyBiochemistryCardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmiasCardiac pacing and defibrillation studiesIon channel regulation and function