Calcium Handling Abnormalities in Atrial Fibrillation as a Target for Innovative Therapeutics

Atrial electrical and structural alterations (remodeling) have emerged as key elements in the development of the atrial fibrillation (AF) substrate. Evidence points to abnormalities in intracellular Ca2+ (calcium) handing as crucial links in AF-initiating focal activity and in perpetuation by rapidly firing foci and reentry. This review focuses on the molecular basis of altered Ca2+ handling in AF, with the goal of providing new insights into molecular effective antiarrhythmic therapy.