Impaired neuronal sodium channels cause intranodal conduction failure and reentrant arrhythmias in human sinoatrial node

Mechanisms for human sinoatrial node (SAN) dysfunction are poorly understood and whether human SAN excitability requires voltage-gated sodium channels (Nav) remains controversial. Here, we report that neuronal (n)Nav blockade and selective nNav1.6 blockade during high-resolution optical mapping in explanted human hearts depress intranodal SAN conduction, which worsens during autonomic stimulation and overdrive suppression to conduction failure. Partial cardiac (c)Nav blockade further impairs automaticity and intranodal conduction, leading to beat-to-beat variability and reentry. Multiple nNav transcripts are higher in SAN vs atria; heterogeneous alterations of several isoforms, specifically nNav1.6, are associated with heart failure and chronic alcohol consumption. In silico simulations of Nav distributions suggest that I(Na) is essential for SAN conduction, especially in fibrotic failing hearts. Our results reveal that not only cNav but nNav are also integral for preventing disease-induced failure in human SAN intranodal conduction. Disease-impaired nNav may underlie patient-specific SAN dysfunctions and should be considered to treat arrhythmias.