Cardiac muscle fiber

Cardiac muscle fibers, also known as cardiomyocytes or cardiac muscle cells, are specialized, striated, branched muscle cells found exclusively in the heart (myocardium)[1][3][5]. They possess distinctive features such as intercalated discs, which contain gap junctions and desmosomes enabling rapid electrical coupling and synchronized contractions[6][8]. Each cell typically has a single central nucleus and numerous mitochondria to meet high energy demands[1][3][5]. Cardiac muscle fibers are responsible for involuntary, rhythmic contractions that pump blood throughout the body[5][6]. Diseases affecting cardiac muscle fibers, including cardiomyopathy and heart failure, disrupt heart contraction and can be life-threatening[5]. Biomarkers such as troponin I and CK-MB are used to detect cardiac muscle injury[5].\n\nClarification: "Cardiac muscle fiber" is a cellular/anatomical structure, not a classical therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, ion channel, or transporter. The term is not used to refer to a molecular target for drugs but rather to the contractile cell of the heart, making "is_target: false" and "is_incorrect: true" the appropriate mappings for most drug discovery contexts.\nNote: If your intent was to refer to a specific molecular target expressed on/in cardiac muscle fibers (e.g., beta-adrenergic receptor, sodium channel, ryanodine receptor), please specify for a structured target response.

Other names

Cardiac myocyteCardiomyocyteCardiac muscle cellMyocardial fiber