Pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation: insights into the renin-angiotensin system.
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation is, to date, a major problem of public health with an important cost in the health care system.


CONCLUSIONS
The therapeutic strategies for atrial fibrillation are complex and their outcomes have been disappointing globally. New ablative techniques have brought important advances but the patient's profile has to be taken into account in the choice of the therapeutic strategies. The renin-angiotensin system plays a major role in the phenomena of remodelling following the onset of atrial fibrillation.


CONCLUSIONS
Drugs blocking the renin-angiotensin system can have a real place in the treatment of atrial fibrillation, not only to maintain sinus rhythm but primarily to prevent cardiovascular accidents in these patients with atrial fibrillation and in some cases to prevent the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, for example in hypertensive patients.
Le Heuzey
Jean-Yves
JY
Service de cardiologie A et rythmologie, hôpital européen Georges-Pompidou, 20, rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France. jean-yves.le-heuzey@egp.aphp.fr
Marijon
Eloi
E
Chachoua
Karim
K
Waintraub
Xavier
X
Lepillier
Antoine
A
Otmani
Akli
A
Lavergne
Thomas
T
Pornin
Maurice
M
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents