SK channels and ventricular arrhythmias in heart failure
Abstract Small-conductance Ca 2+-activated K+(SK) currents are important in the
repolarization of normal atrial (but not ventricular) cardiomyocytes. However, recent studies
showed that the SK currents are upregulated in failing ventricular cardiomyocytes, along
with increased SK channel protein expression and enhanced sensitivity to intracellular Ca
2+. The SK channel activation may be either anti-arrhythmic or pro-arrhythmic, depending
on the underlying clinical situations. While the SK channel is a new target of anti-arrhythmic …
repolarization of normal atrial (but not ventricular) cardiomyocytes. However, recent studies
showed that the SK currents are upregulated in failing ventricular cardiomyocytes, along
with increased SK channel protein expression and enhanced sensitivity to intracellular Ca
2+. The SK channel activation may be either anti-arrhythmic or pro-arrhythmic, depending
on the underlying clinical situations. While the SK channel is a new target of anti-arrhythmic …
