Atrial fibrillation: extending basic science to clinical frontiers.
Basic research in atrial fibrillation is advancing with enormous speed, extending the boundaries from research in intact tissues, to cellular electrophysiology and to molecular biology. Never before has the need been greater for a true 'bench to bedside' approach to research. The basic researchers need to understand the potential clinical relevance of their work so that their efforts may be directed to areas of clinical impact. On the other hand, the clinician needs the aid of the basic researcher to help solve some of the vexing clinical problems. Emphasizing the need for this liaison, this paper discusses problems confronted by the clinician and suggests areas of basic research that may help answer the frustration of the clinician in dealing with patients with atrial fibrillation.
Kerr
C R
CR
Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D003657:Decision Making; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008967:Molecular Biology; D012106:Research