[Ultrastructural and functional features of atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes].

Two different cardial cell clones--atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes--form independently during fetal life. These cells possess absolutely different properties and functions, which play the main role in the development and clinical manifestations of a large number of diseases. Atrial pathology, atrial dilation in particular, determines the development of clinically significant heart decompensation, and underlies the occurrence of life-threatening arrhythmias and thromboembolic complications. The knowledge of features of the ultrastructural organization of atrial and ventricular cardiomyocytes as well as factors which influence the processes of their differentiation and development facilitates understanding the mechanisms of the forming of various heart diseases, and makes it possible to outline the ways of their prevention and correction.