PO-614-03 ALTERED SUBCELLULAR CALCIUM RELEASE IN THE HEART FAILURE ATRIA

Transverse (t)-tubules enable close coupling between L-type calcium (Ca2+) channels and ryanodine receptors (RyR) to facilitate triggered Ca2+ release throughout the cell. In heart failure (HF) there is disruption of the t-tubule network that contributes to dyssynchronous Ca2+ release. Despite the importance of t-tubules in triggering Ca2+ release in the atria of large mammals, little is known about Ca2+ release sites and how they are altered in HF.