Models of cardiac arrhythmia induced by tachypacing have been developed in Drosophila. Typically, tachypacing is conducted at approximately 2-fold basal rate for 20 min.; use of transparent prepupae allows visualization of heart contractions.
Tachypacing of Drosophila pupae results in gradual and significant cardiomyocyte remodeling, demonstrated by reduced contraction rate, increase in arrhythmic episodes, and reduction in heart wall shortening compared to normal-paced pupae.
The system allows assessment of animals carrying mutations and/or the effect of drugs (fed during the larval stage).
[updated Feb. 2018 by FlyBase; FBrf0222196]
The term "arrhythmia" refers to any change from the normal sequence of electrical impulses in the heart, such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia (slow heartbeat), tachycardia (rapid heart rate), conduction disorders, rhythm disorders, ventricular fibrillation, premature contractions. Arrhythmias may be completely harmless or life-threatening. (http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/AboutArrhythmia/About-Arrhythmia_UCM_002010_Article.jsp)
