title: The genetics of atrial fibrillation: from the bench to the bedside.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has become a growing global epidemic and a financial burden for society. The past 10 years have seen significant advances in our understanding of the genetic aspects of AF: At least 2 chromosomal loci and 17 causal genes have been identified in familial AF, and an additional 7 common variants and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in 11 different genes have been indicated in nonfamilial AF. However, the current management strategies for AF are suboptimal. The integration of genetic information into clinical practice may aid the early identification of AF patients who are at risk as well as the characterization of molecular pathways that culminate in AF, with the eventual result of better treatment. Never before has such an opportunity arisen to advance our understanding of the biology of AF through the translation of genetics findings from the bench to the bedside.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Arrhythmias, Ministry of Education, and Department of Cardiology, East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200120, China. junjiexiao@live.cn
authors.forename: Junjie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Dandan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Yi-Han
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide