title: Recent insights into the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Although the problem of atrial fibrillation is now widely appreciated, the fundamental mechanisms that lead to arrhythmia onset and persistence have been difficult to elucidate. As a result, available pharmacologic therapies have focused more on modifying ion channel activity than on the underlying mechanisms. Recent studies suggest an important role for alterations in autonomic regulation, neurohormonal activation, and a systemic inflammatory state in the genesis and persistence of atrial fibrillation. The relative contributions of these distinct pathways to atrial fibrillation likely vary from patient to patient, and within a patient, as a function of age. Tailored therapies, together with patient-specific ablative interventions, may increase the success with which atrial fibrillation is treated and minimize the occurrence of life-threatening thromboembolic complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cardiology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA. VANWAGD@ccf.org
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Van Wagoner
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D018880:Atrial Premature Complexes; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011667:Pulmonary Veins / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012307:Risk Factors