Of note, Rgs6−/− mice, that show the expected increase in HRV, are characterized by a strong bradycardia and an increased susceptibility to AV block and atrial fibrillation which is attributed to an enhancement of GIRK-induced sinoatrial and atrioventricular node hyperpolarization by removing the negative regulation of Gβγ by RGS6 (refs 23, 26, 28). Here, RGS6 is linked to atrioventricular block.