Computer model predicts how drugs affect heart rhythm

UC Davis Health researchers have developed a computer model to screen drugs for unintended cardiac side effects, especially arrhythmia risk. Colleen E. Clancy with Pei-Chi Yang and Kevin DeMarco of her research team (from left to right). Published in Circulation Research, the study was led by Colleen E. Clancy, professor of physiology and membrane biology, and Igor Vorobyov, assistant professor of physiology and membrane biology. Clancy is a recognized leader in using high-performance computing to understand electrical changes in the heart. "One main reason for a drug being removed from the market is potentially life-threatening arrhythmias," Clancy said.