Pathophysiology of the pulmonary vein as an atrial fibrillation initiator.
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.
Chen
Shih-Ann
SA
Division of Cardiology, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan. epsachen@ms41.hinet.net
Chen
Yi-Jen
YJ
Yeh
Hung-I
HI
Tai
Ching-Tai
CT
Chen
Yao-Chang
YC
Lin
Cheng-I
CI
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
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D007473:Ion Channels