Role of SR Ca2+-ATPase in contractile dysfunction of myocytes in tachycardia-induced heart failure

The effects of heart failure on the expression of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium-adenosine triphosphatase (Ca2+-ATPase) and the subsequent effect on contractility was investigated in isolated myocyte from dogs with pacing-induced heart failure and normal controls. Results reveal that heart failure depresses the expression of Ca2+-ATPase resulting in a reduction in SR calcium uptake. This leads to a depression in myocardial contractility.