Altered Na(+) currents in atrial fibrillation effects of ranolazine on arrhythmias and contractility in human atrial myocardium.

Objectives: We investigated changes in Na(+) currents (I(Na)) in permanent (or chronic) atrial fibrillation (AF) and the effects of I(Na) inhibition using ranolazine (Ran) on arrhythmias and contractility in human atrial myocardium.

Background: Electrical remodeling during AF is typically associated with alterations in Ca(2+) and K(+) currents. It remains unclear whether I(Na) is also altered.

Methods: Right atrial appendages from patients with AF (n = 23) and in sinus rhythm (SR) (n = 79) were studied.

Results: Patch-clamp experiments in isolated atrial myocytes showed significantly reduced peak I(Na) density ( approximately 16%) in AF compared with SR, which was accompanied by a 26% lower expression of Nav1.5 (p < 0.05). In contrast, late I(Na) was significantly increased in myocytes from AF atria by approximately 26%. Ran (10 mumol/l) decreased late I(Na) by approximately 60% (p < 0.05) in myocytes from patients with AF but only by approximately 18% (p < 0.05) in myocytes from SR atria. Proarrhythmic activity was elicited in atrial trabeculae exposed to high [Ca(2+)](o) or isoprenaline, which was significantly reversed by Ran (by 83% and 100%, respectively). Increasing pacing rates from 0.5 to 3.0 Hz led to an increase in diastolic tension that could be significantly decreased by Ran in atria from SR and AF patients.

Conclusions: Na(+) channels may contribute to arrhythmias and contractile remodeling in AF. Inhibition of I(Na) with Ran had antiarrhythmic effects and improved diastolic function. Thus, inhibition of late I(Na) may be a promising new treatment option for patients with atrial rhythm disturbances and diastolic dysfunction.