The electromechanical function of the heart involves complex, coordinated activity over time
and space. Life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias arise from asynchrony in these space–time …

Optogenetics is an elegant approach of precisely controlling and monitoring the biological
functions of a cell, group of cells, tissues, or organs with high temporal and spatial resolution …

Ventricular arrhythmias are among the most severe complications of heart disease and can
result in sudden cardiac death. Patients at risk currently receive implantable defibrillators …

Current rescue therapies for life-threatening arrhythmias ignore the pathological electro-
anatomical substrate and base their efficacy on a generalized electrical discharge. Here, we …

Aims The primary goal in the treatment of symptomatic atrial fibrillation/flutter (AF) is to
restore sinus rhythm by cardioversion. Electrical shocks are highly effective, but have to be …

Optogenetic defibrillation of hearts expressing light-sensitive cation channels (eg, ChR2)
has been proposed as an alternative to conventional electrotherapy. Past modeling work …

Optogenetic control of the heart is an emergent technology that offers unparalleled spatio-
temporal control of cardiac dynamics via light-sensitive ion pumps and channels (opsins) …

Ventricular arrhythmias are the primary cause of sudden cardiac death and one of the
leading causes of mortality worldwide. Whole-heart computational modeling offers a unique …

Cardiac optogenetics is an emergent research area involving the delivery of light-sensitive
proteins (opsins) to excitable heart tissue to enable optical modulation of cardiac electrical …

Key points Although optogenetics has clearly demonstrated the feasibility of cardiac
manipulation, current optical stimulation strategies lack the capability to react acutely to …