A Straightforward Guide to the Basic Science Behind Arrhythmogenesis

This article describes basic mechanisms behind cardiac arrhythmia. In clinical practice significant arrhythmias are mostly unpredictable, and under some conditions, potentially life-threatening. The question is how basic science can help in understanding better the molecular entities and factors behind the arrhythmia to better develop, adapt or use available medications. Structural heart disease and remodeling (e.g., heart failure, cardiomyopathy), the presence of modulating factors (i.e., diabetes mellitus, autonomic nervous system), genetic predispositions (i.e, channelopathies) considerably precondition, influence the development of an arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmia may indeed share common basic mechanisms, while elements and substrates perpetuating these may be different and ultimately manifest as various ECG abnormalities. This article lists cellular and subcellular iatrogenic disorders responsible for abnormal impulse generation or conduction disturbances including latest development in theories and biology research for a better understanding of cellular disorders behind arrhythmogenesi