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2. Normal and abnormal general physiology and heart EP, including ion channels, cellular EP, autonomous system influences, and the basic mechanisms of rhythm disorders, syncope, and sudden death



  • Antzelevitch C1, Burashnikov A. Overview of Basic Mechanisms of Cardiac Arrhythmia.Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2011 Mar 1;3(1):23-45.• Antzelevitch C1, Burashnikov A. Overview of Basic Mechanisms of Cardiac Arrhythmia.Card Electrophysiol Clin. 2011 Mar 1;3(1):23-45.
    # Review basic mechanisms for cardiac arrhythmias, including channelopathies. Very good overview and great read to start up.
  • Nattel S, Dobrev D. Electrophysiological and molecular mechanisms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Nat Rev Cardiol. 2016 Oct;13(10):575-90. doi: 10.1038/nrcardio.2016.118. Epub 2016 Aug 4.
    # Comprehensive review on electrophysiologic fundamentals for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
  • Chen, P.-S., Chen, L. S., Fishbein, M. C., Lin, S.-F., & Nattel, S. Role of the Autonomic Nervous System in Atrial Fibrillation. Circulation Research, 114(9), 1500–1515. doi:10.1161/circresaha.114.303772
    # Review on the mechanisms of interaction between the ANS, cardiac rhythm and pro arrhythmia (especially atrial fibrillation). Includes overview on potential therapeutic options (Sympathetic and Vagal Denervation; Ganglionated Plexus Ablation; Vagal Nerve Stimulation, among others).
  • Nattel S, Maguy A, Le Bouter S, Yeh Y-H. Arrhythmogenic Ion-Channel Remodeling in the Heart: Heart Failure, Myocardial Infarction, and Atrial Fibrillation. Physiol Rev 87: 425–456, 2007; doi:10.1152/physrev.00014.2006
    # Review on ion channel remodelling in different disease subset and its relevance for proarrhythmia (heart failure, myocardial infarction, and atrial fibrillation).
  • Maurits Allessie, Jannie Ausma, Ulrich Schotten. Electrical, contractile and structural remodeling during atrial fibrillation. Cardiovascular Research 54 (2002) 230–246.
    # Landmark paper reviewing the relation between electrical, contractile and structural and remodeling with AF and its duration.
  • Rubart, M. Mechanisms of sudden cardiac death. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 115(9), 2305-2315.
    # Review on basic mechanisms underlying sudden cardiac death due to arrhythmia,  including the role of aberrant intracellular Ca2+ handling, ionic imbalances associated with acute myocardial ischemia, neurohumoral changes and genetic predisposition. Therapeutic measures to prevent SCD are also discussed.
  • Whalley DW1, Wendt DJ, Grant AO. Basic concepts in cellular cardiac electrophysiology: Part I: Ion channels, membrane currents, and the action potential. Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 1995 Aug;18(8):1556-74.
    # Very Comprehensive review on basic principles on cardiac electrical action potential generation including abnormal automaticity.