Remodeling of calcium handling in human heart failure

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012:740:1145-74. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-2888-2_52.

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is an increasing public health problem accelerated by a rapidly aging global population. Despite considerable progress in managing the disease, the development of new therapies for effective treatment of HF remains a challenge. To identify targets for early diagnosis and therapeutic intervention, it is essential to understand the molecular and cellular basis of calcium handling and the signaling pathways governing the functional remodeling associated with HF in humans. Calcium (Ca(2+)) cycling is an essential mediator of cardiac contractile function, and remodeling of calcium handling is thought to be one of the major factors contributing to the mechanical and electrical dysfunction observed in HF. Active research in this field aims to bridge the gap between basic research and effective clinical treatments of HF. This chapter reviews the most relevant studies of calcium remodeling in failing human hearts and discusses their connections to current and emerging clinical therapies for HF patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Calcium Signaling
  • Heart Failure / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / physiology
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases / physiology

Substances

  • Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel
  • Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Calcium