The cardiac conduction system (CCS) consists of distinctive components that initiate and
conduct the electrical impulse required for the coordinated contraction of the cardiac …

Molecular and genetic studies around the turn of this century have revolutionized the field of
cardiac development. We now know that the primary heart tube, as seen in the early embryo …

During development, progenitors progress through transition states. The cardiac epicardium
contains progenitors of essential non-cardiomyocytes. The Hippo pathway, a kinase …

Over the past decade, the zebrafish has become an increasingly popular animal model for
the study of human cardiovascular disease. Because zebrafish embryos are transparent and …

The mammalian heart expresses two closely related natriuretic peptide (NP) hormones,
atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The excretion of the NPs …

The rate and rhythm of heart muscle contractions are coordinated by the cardiac conduction
system (CCS), a generic term for a collection of different specialized muscular tissues within …

The evidence is increasing that left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy as it is
currently defined does not represent a failure of compaction of pre-existing trabecular …

Early cardiac development involves the formation of a heart tube, looping of the tube and
formation of chambers. These processes are highly similar among all vertebrates, which …

With approximately 7000 species, snakes and lizards, collectively known as squamates, are
by far the most species‐rich group of reptiles. It was from reptile‐like ancestors that …

During development, mesodermal progenitors from the first heart field (FHF) form a primitive
cardiac tube, to which progenitors from the second heart field (SHF) are added. The …