In the articel, the author presents recent findings in the field of molecular genetics concerning the regulation of foetal development of the heart and its function after birth and in adulthood. In particular, reference is made to the importance of molecular regulation of calcium channel function, the beta-adrenergic systém and natriuretic factors in the development of pathological hypertrophy of heart. The role of mutations in the genes for contractile and structural proteins in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy is described, and the association of gene alterations and cardiac arrhythmias is discussed.

        Key words: molecular genetics, heart development, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, cardiac arrhythmias