Role of calcium activated potassium channels in atrial fibrillation pathophysiology and therapy

Small-conductance Ca²⁺-activated potassium (SK) channels are relative newcomers within the field of cardiac electrophysiology. In recent years, an increased focus has been given to these channels since they might constitute a relatively atrial selective target. The present review will give a general introduction to SK channels followed by their proposed function in the heart under normal and pathophysiological conditions. It is revealed how anti-arrhythmic effects can be obtained by SK channel inhibition in a number of species in situations of atrial fibrillation. On the contrary, the beneficial effects of SK channel inhibition in situations of heart failure are questionable and still needs investigation. The understanding of cardiac SK channels is rapidly increasing these years, and hopefully this will clarify whether SK channel inhibition has potential as a new anti-atrial fibrillation principle.