This completely updated and expanded 2nd Edition provides all the information needed in order to understand the complex molecular, cellular and genetic mechanisms that underlie normal and abnormal cardiac rhythms. Its goal is to help physiologists and clinicians alike develop better preventive and treatment strategies. The respective chapters cover a broad range of topics, including the role of specific ion channels and transporters, gap junctions, intracellular Ca2+ handling in pacemaker activity, impulse conduction, and the activity of atrial and ventricular myocardium. Special emphasis is placed on the unique electrophysiology of specialized pacemaking cells and conducting fibers. In turn, several types of inherited and acquired ventricular arrhythmias are presented in detail. Clinicians will especially appreciate the updated information on even common disorders like atrial fibrillation and their impacts on human physiology. In closing, the book goes “one step further” and considers future prospects, e.g. novel antiarrhythmic agents and new concepts like optogenetics, in the context of heart rate regulation. Accordingly, it offers readers a solid reference guide to everything they need to know about human heart rate and rhythm.

Pathological heart rhythms are a major health issue. In this book experts from various fields provide an important context for understanding the complicated molecular and cellular mechanisms that underlie normal and pathophysiological cardiac rhythms.

Individual chapters cover a full range of topics, including the ionic basis of pacemaking, the role of specific channels and transporters in sinoatrial node pacemaking, altered intracellular Ca2+ handling in response to disease, computer modeling of the action potentials of pacemaker and working cardiomyocytes, genetic and molecular basis of inherited arrhythmias and a review of established and novel antiarrhythmic agents. Due to the key importance of the specialized pacemaker cells and tissue (sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes) in maintaining heart rate and rhythm, special emphasis is placed on the peculiar electrophysiology of these cells.