Increased myofilament Ca2+-sensitivity and arrhythmia susceptibility

Increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is a common attribute of many inherited and acquired cardiomyopathies that are associated with cardiac arrhythmias. Accumulating evidence supports the concept that increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity is an independent risk factor for arrhythmias. This review describes and discusses potential underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms how myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity affects cardiac excitation and leads to the generation of arrhythmias. Emphasized are downstream effects of increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity: altered Ca2+ buffering/handling, impaired energy metabolism and increased mechanical stretch, and how they may contribute to arrhythmogenesis. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.