Development of the Cardiac Conduction System, No. 250

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The heart beats an estimated three billion times during the lifespan of the average person. Each of these cycles of contraction depends on specialized cardiac tissues involved in the rhythmic generation and coordinated spread of electrical excitation. Collectively, these tissues are known as the pacemaking and conduction system--the PCS. Since the PCS is vital for generating and synchronizing the heartbeat, its dysfunction can be a direct cause of cardiac conduction disturbance, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Recent advances have meant that the cellular and molecular mechanisms governing the development of the PCS in tissues are now starting to be understood. This book brings together a group of leading researchers to discuss emerging concepts in this exciting field. In particular, the new understanding of the cellular origin and the molecular induction of PCS tissues during embryogenesis, together with the burgeoning technology of stem cell manipulation, provides the foundation for tissue engineering, replacement and repair of PCS tissues in humans. The book also identifies therapeutic targets arising from basic discoveries in the developmental biology of cardiac pacemaking and conduction tissues.The pacemaking and conduction system (PCS) is vital for generating and synchronizing the heart beat. Dysfunction of this system can be a direct cause of cardiac conduction disturbance, arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. A wealth of information has been collected over many years on the unique histological, morphological and phenotypic characteristics of specialized cardiac tissues. The cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern development of the PCS are now starting to be understood. This book draws together contributions from an international and interdisciplinary group of experts working on both basic and clinical aspects of cardiac development. It features reviews of the structure and function of the developing PCS, discussion of the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating embryological development of this system and studies on the fundamental basis of PCS pathology. The book also considers how novel therapeutic interventions based on understanding of the developmental biology of cardiac pacemaking and conduction tissues might ultimately impact on clinical medicine.