title: Pathophysiology of the pulmonary vein as an atrial fibrillation initiator.
abstract: The basic electrophysiologic studies have proved the arrhythmogenic mechanisms of the pulmonary vein as an atrial fibrillation initiator; the mechanisms include enhanced automaticity, triggered activity, and microreentry from myocardial sleeves inside pulmonary veins. Immunohistology study has proved the conduction characteristics of pulmonary vein myocardium, and further study of ionic currents are important for understanding atrial fibrillation initiation from the pulmonary vein.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan. epsachen@ms41.hinet.net
authors.forename: Shih-Ann
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Jen
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hung-I
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Ching-Tai
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Yao-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Cheng-I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D007473:Ion Channels