The Multifaceted Cardiac Sodium Channel
Summary
The cardiac sodium channel plays an integral role in the evolution of our understanding of the aetiopathogenesis of sudden and unexpected young deaths. New and significant genetic mutations associated with a wide array of potentially lethal clinical conditions are being discovered at a rapid pace, thanks to unsurpassed advances in molecular techniques and medical acumen. A precise understanding of the structure and functions of the ion channels, combined with knowledge of the associated pathological manifestations, will enable appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions to be made for this challenging group of disorders.