Aims: Arrhythmogenic Ca(2+) waves result from uncontrolled Ca(2+) release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) that occurs with increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) or excessive Ca(2+) accumulation during β-adrenergic stimulation. We hypothesized that inhibition of the L-type Ca(2+) current (I(CaL)) could prevent such Ca(2+) waves in both situations.
Methods and results: Ca(2+) waves were induced in mouse left ventricular cardiomyocytes by isoproterenol combined with caffeine to increase RyR Ca(2+) sensitivity. I(CaL) inhibition by verapamil (0.5 µM) reduced Ca(2+) wave probability in cardiomyocytes during electrostimulation, and during a 10 s rest period after ceasing stimulation. A separate type of Ca(2+) release events occurred during the decay phase of the Ca(2+) transient and was not prevented by verapamil. Verapamil decreased Ca(2+) spark frequency, but not in permeabilized cells, indicating that this was not due to direct effects on RyR. The antiarrhythmic effect of verapamil was due to reduced SR Ca(2+) content following I(CaL) inhibition. Computational modelling supported that the level of I(CaL) inhibition obtained experimentally was sufficient to reduce the SR Ca(2+) content. Ca(2+) wave prevention through reduced SR Ca(2+) content was also effective in heterozygous ankyrin B knockout mice with excessive SR Ca(2+) accumulation during β-adrenergic stimulation.
Conclusion: I(CaL) inhibition prevents diastolic Ca(2+) waves caused by increased Ca(2+) sensitivity of RyR or excessive SR Ca(2+) accumulation during β-adrenergic stimulation. In contrast, unstimulated early Ca(2+) release during the decay of the Ca(2+) transient is not prevented, and merits further study to understand the full antiarrhythmic potential of I(CaL) inhibition.