Arrhythmogenic mechano-electric heterogeneity in the long-QT syndrome

Rachel M. A. ter Bekke, Paul G. A. Volders*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Since the first linkage of the long-QT syndrome to the Harvey ras-1 gene in 1991 ample research has been performed to decipher the molecular-biophysical basis of congenital repolarization defects and the electrophysiological mechanisms of torsades-de-pointes arrhythmias in this condition. Mechanistic knowledge is mostly derived from cellular experiments (cardiac myocytes, cultured cells), ventricular tissue (including arterially-perfused wedge) preparations and Langendorff-perfused hearts, with relatively little information from in-vivo animal models, and even more scant intact human-heart investigations. Until now, much emphasis has been put on purely membrane-related pathways of arrhythmia initiation with a prominent role for spatiotemporal dispersion of repolarization, early after-depolarizations and reentrant excitation. Here, we review additional factors that influence the onset of torsades de pointes, notably myocardial Ca2+ (over) loading and spontaneous SR Ca2+ release, occurring particularly during intense sympathetic nervous stimulation and dynamic cycle-length changes. Recent tissue and in-vivo data suggest that spontaneous SR Ca2+ release, underlying aftercontractions in the isolated myocyte, may organize to local myocardial Ca2+ waves and after contractions in the intact heart. In the setting of prolonged repolarization and a negative electromechanical window, these spontaneous [Ca2+](cyt)-based events (which often arise during early diastole) may exaggerate repolarization instability via [Ca2+](cyt)-activated inward membrane currents and, as we postulate, via mechano-sensitive ion currents. Future long-QT research should focus on the intact beating heart with preserved autonomic input to examine these arrhythmogenic mechanisms.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)347-358
JournalProgress in Biophysics & Molecular Biology
Volume110
Issue number2-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Long-QT syndrome
  • Electromechanical window
  • Calcium
  • Aftercontractions
  • Torsades de pointes
  • Ventricular arrhythmia

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