title: [New approach for atrial fibrillation by suppression of renin-angiotensin system].
abstract: Several studies have shown that activation of the renin-angiotensin system is associated with the mechanism of atrial fibrillation (AF). We have studied the effects of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker(ARB) on electrical and structural remodeling. Although the degree of the shortening of the atrial effective refractory period was similar between ARB and a control, ARB significantly decreased the conduction delay by suppressing interstitial fibrosis. These results indicate that angiotensin II may be involved in the mechanism of structural remodeling in chronic AF, and may lead to therapies to prevent both electrical and structural substrate development. Thus, ARB may constitute a novel therapeutic approach to preventing AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Fukuoka University, School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Koichiro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kumagai
mesh_terms: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin / Q000502:physiology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D011945:Receptors, Angiotensin