Role of Connexin 43 in Ischemia-reperfusion Injury and Arrhythmias

This study demonstrates an important, and previously unknown, specific role of Cx43 in myocardial energetic metabolism, tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury and in endogenous cardioprotection. GJ and Cx43 can become interesting pharmacological targets to improve the clinical outcome in patients with ischemic heart disease. However, translation should wait until the proarrhythmic effects of these treatments are solved.