title: The role of action potential alternans in the initiation of atrial fibrillation in humans: a review and future directions.
abstract: This review highlights the role of atrial monophasic action potential duration (APD) in understanding atrial electrical properties in paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) states. Alternans of APD and rate maladaptation in a spatially divergent way appear mechanistically involved in AF initiation, development, and persistence. The underlying pathophysiology warrants further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Division, VA Medical Center, 50 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20422, USA. michael.r.franz@verizon.net
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Franz
authors.forename: Sameer M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jamal
authors.forename: Sanjiv M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Narayan
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005544:Forecasting; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular