Autonomic nerves in pulmonary veins.
Rapid repetitive activities arising from pulmonary veins may initiate atrial fibrillation. The basis of these rapid repetitive activities remains unclear, but recent evidence suggests that the autonomic nervous system plays an important role in their formation. Pulmonary veins and the adjoining left atrium are highly innervated structures. This review summarizes recent developments in the understanding of the anatomy of autonomic nerves in and around pulmonary veins and their implications for atrial fibrillation.
Tan
Alex Y
AY
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.
Chen
Peng-Sheng
PS
Chen
Lan S
LS
Fishbein
Michael C
MC
D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D017763:Autonomic Denervation / Q000379:methods; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000294:innervation; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000294:innervation*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D013909:Thorax / Q000098:blood supply*; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014680:Veins / Q000294:innervation