OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of L-type Ca(2+) channel current (I(Ca-L)) and its voltage-dependent activation and inactivation in atrial myocytes of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

METHODSThe specimens of right atrial appendage were obtained from 18 patients with normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and 12 patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). Single myocytes were isolated by enzymatic dissociation with two-step method and the ionic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp techniques to detect the changes of I(Ca-L) density and kinetic properties.

RESULTS(1) I(Ca-L) density was (-1.32 +/- 0.19) pA/pF in CAF group (n = 12) and (-4.58 +/- 0.39) pA/pF in NSR group (n = 21) at the test potential from -40 mV to 0 mV. I(Ca-L) density of CAF group was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), compared with the NSR group. (2) No significant differences were noted between the two groups in the voltage-dependent activation parameters (V(1/2), K) and inactivation parameters (V(1/2), K).

CONCLUSIONSI(Ca-L) density of CAF group was significantly decreased whereas it's voltage-dependent kinetic properties had no change. This phenomenon may be one of the mechanisms of atrial electrophysiological remodeling in chronic atrial fibrillation.