Journal of VolgSMU
Quarterly scientific-practical journal

UDK: 616.12-008

If -channels: authentic “pacemakers”?

B.E. Tolkachev

Кафедра клинической фармакологии и интенсивной терапии с курсами клинической фармакологии ФУВ, клинической аллергологии ФУВ, восстановительной терапии и курортологии ФУВ ВолГМУ

Abstract

It is well established that among the all mechanisms whose are responsible for spontaneous cardiac activity, pacemaker (“funny”, If ) current play the key role because it’s participation in the generation the phase of «slow diastolic depolarization» in myocytes of sinoatrial node (Keith and Flack node), hence heart rate, and modulation the work of the heart by autonomic nervous system. In this review the basic physiological significance, main specific properties and the molecular structure of native f-channels are described. Also it is shown that f-channels become the natural target for new class of pharmacological agents, so called “pure bradycardiac agents”, used in treatment of diseases accociated with increased heart rate, such as cardiac failure and stable angina. Nowadays ivabradine (Procoralan ®, Servier, Neuilly-sur-Seine, France) – selective If - channel inhibitor – is the only one member of the family of specific heart-reducing agents to have completed clinical development.

Keywords

sinoatrial node, “funny” channels, pacemaker ionic current, ivabradine

Contacts

Кафедра клинической фармакологии и интенсивной терапии с курсами клинической фармакологии ФУВ, клинической аллергологии ФУВ, восстановительной терапии и курортологии ФУВ ВолГМУ, (8442) 43-30-60, 43-60-36, nvrogova@volgmed.ru