title: Nonchannel drug targets in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical arrhythmia and one of the most important factors for ischemic stroke. In general, AF is treated with "channel-blocking drugs" to restore sinus rhythm and warfarin is recommended in the majority of patients to prevent atrial thrombus formation and thromboembolic events. In the recent years, a tremendous amount has been learned about the pathophysiology and molecular biology of AF. Thus, pharmacologic interference with specific signal transduction pathways with "non-channel-blocking drugs" appears promising as a novel antiarrhythmic approach to maintain sinus rhythm and to prevent atrial clot formation. Therefore, this review will highlight some novel "nonchannel drug targets" for AF therapy.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Leipzigerstrasse 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. andreas.goette@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goette
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lendeckel
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D045726:Metalloproteases / Q000378:metabolism; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000975:Antioxidants; D000804:Angiotensin II; D045726:Metalloproteases