New therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias emerges

New therapeutic target for cardiac arrhythmias emerges.

Researchers identified a lipid that is involved in regulating cardiac ion channels.

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib or AF, causes about 1 in 7 strokes.

More than 12 million people are expected to have AFib by 2030 , according to the American Heart Association .

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib or AF, causes about 1 in 7 strokes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

More than 12 million people are expected to have AFib by 2030 .

Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine -- Phoenix and UC Davis Health identified a new target for developing a therapy to treat AFib .

Atrial fibrillation, commonly called AFib or AF, causes about 1 in 7 strokes.

More than 12 million people are expected to have AFib by 2030 , according to the American Heart Association .

Until recently, most research suggested that treating AFib through inhibition of specific small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels could either reduce or worsen arrhythmias under different conditions.