DIAGNOSTIC METHOD

摘要

A method is provided for determining the susceptibility of a patient to post - operative atrial fibrillation (AF) which method comprises determining the levels of connexin4 0 in a sample of cardiac tissue taken from said patient wherein the presence in said sampl e of elevated levels of connexin40 is indicative of a susceptibility to post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF). Also provided is a method for preventing or treating post-operative atrial fibrillation in a patient which method comprises administering to said patient an effective amount of a substance capable of down regulating connexin40 expression or inhibiting connexin40 function and assays for identifying suitable substances.