ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the fundamental process of intercellular communication via gap junctions in the heart. It is divided into two main sections. The first considers basic features of gap junction biology in the heart and cell-cell propagation of the cardiac action potential. The second addresses electrophysiological effects of remodeling of gap junctions during normal development and aging, and in selected cardiac disease states. Particular attention is focused on changes in the expression, distribution and/or function of connexins and gap junction channels in heart disease, and the role of abnormalities in cell-cell communication in arrhy thmogenesis.
