KCNJ11 polymorphisms and sudden cardiac death in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Abstract

Purpose. Patients with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are of high risk to develop ischemia-induced ventricular arrhythmias, leading to sudden cardiac death (SCD) in about one third of all AMI patients. The individual susceptibility to ischemia-induced arrhythmias may be modified by polymorphisms in genes encoding ion channels. The cardiac ATP-dependent potassium channel (K-ATP) current is generated by ion channels encoded by the KCNJ11 gene and the SUR2a gene. Opening of the K-ATP channel during ischemia results in action potential shortening in various studies and may therefore influence the outcome of AMI patients.