Cardiac sodium channels and inherited electrophysiologic disorders: a pharmacogenetic overview

Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2008 Mar;9(4):537-49. doi: 10.1517/14656566.9.4.537.

Abstract

Sodium (Na) channels are essential for cardiac electrical activity. Cardiac Na channel dysfunction, inherited or acquired, can induce life-threatening conduction and arrhythmia disorders. Inherited Na channel dysfunction may put affected patients at a greater risk for these complications when channel-modifying drugs are prescribed. This study addressed pharmacogenetic effects in three well-described Na channel-related diseases: long QT syndrome type 3, Brugada syndrome and inherited cardiac conduction disease. A review of the currently available literature on cardiac Na channel-modulating drugs was undertaken. An overview is given of the known risks of development of the previously mentioned complications of commonly prescribed drugs in patients affected with Na channel-related diseases and the underlying mechanisms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials / drug effects
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / chemically induced
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / genetics
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / metabolism*
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
  • Brugada Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Brugada Syndrome / genetics
  • Brugada Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Brugada Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Cardiovascular Agents / adverse effects*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Long QT Syndrome / chemically induced
  • Long QT Syndrome / genetics
  • Long QT Syndrome / metabolism*
  • Long QT Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Mutation*
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Pedigree
  • Pharmacogenetics*
  • Protein Conformation
  • Risk Factors
  • Sodium Channels / chemistry
  • Sodium Channels / drug effects
  • Sodium Channels / genetics
  • Sodium Channels / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Sodium Channels