Šolc D. The heart and
heart conducting system in the kingdom of animals: A comparative approach to its evolution.
Exp Clin Cardiol 2007;
12:113-118. [PMID:
18650991 PMCID:
PMC2323757]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2005] [Accepted: 09/07/2006] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The phylogeny of the heart and its conducting system is surveyed in the present study, as well as its parallels with ontogeny. A concise review of its evolution in the main taxonomic groups is presented. The aim is to inform physicians on evolutionary connections to the physiology of the human heart conducting system. Furthermore, some unanswered questions in terms of the developmental biology of the heart are offered. It is assumed that some supraventricular arrhythmias are based on remnants of embryonic structures of the pacemaking or conducting tissues; atrial flutter could re-entry through a survived embryonic sinoatrial ring. Some cases of atrial fibrillation could be initiated from remnant embryonic pacemaking cells settled in pulmonary veins.
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