VICTOR CHANG SCIENTISTS UNLOCK THE 'GATES' ON SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH (FED)
Australian researchers have come one step closer to understanding how the rhythm of the heartbeat is controlled and why many common drugs, including some antibiotics, antihistamines and anti-psychotics, can cause a potentially fatal abnormal heart rhythm. It is estimated around 40-50% of all drugs in development will block one of the main 'channels' that carries electricity in the heart and, as a result, can cause heart rhythm problems called cardiac arrhythmias. Most sudden cardiac deaths are caused by cardiac arrhythmias. In a paper published in this month's edition of the prestigious journal Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, scientists from the Victor Chang Institute in Sydney have discovered a key clue as to why this happens, by understanding how the 'gates,' which effectively 'open' and 'close' the channel, operate.  Read more: http://www.victorchang.edu.au/public/pressrelease_view.cfm?cid=357