title: [Molecular biology of the heart atrium. New insights into the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation as well as its clinical implications].
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinical arrhythmia and one of the most important factors for embolic stroke. In recent years, a tremendous amount has been learned about the pathophysiology and molecular biology of AF. Thus, pharmacologic interference with specific signal transduction pathways appears promising as a novel antiarrhythmic approach to maintain sinus rhythm and to prevent atrial clot formation. This review highlights the underlying molecular biology of atrial fibrillation, which may also be relevant for AF therapy.
authors.affiliation: Otto-von-Guericke-Universitätsklinik Magdeburg, Klinik für Kardiologie, Angiologie und Pneumologie, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany. andreas.goette@medizin.uni-magdeburg.de
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goette
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Lendeckel
authors.forename: H U
authors.initials: HU
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008967:Molecular Biology; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D000804:Angiotensin II; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases