title: Atrial fibrillation: inflammation in disguise?
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is highly prevalent, and affected patients are at an increased risk of a number of complications, including heart failure and thrombo-embolism. Over the past years, there has been increasing interest in the role of inflammatory processes in atrial fibrillation, from the first occurrence of the arrhythmia to dreaded complications such as strokes or peripheral emboli. As the standard drug combination which aims at rate control and anticoagulation only offers partial protection against complications, newer agents are needed to optimize treatment. In this paper, we review recent knowledge regarding the impact of inflammation on the occurrence, recurrence, perpetuation and complications of the arrhythmia, as well as the role of anti-inflammatory therapies in the treatment for the disease.
authors.affiliation: Coronary Care Unit, Division of Internal Medicine, Nordland Hospital, Bodø, Norway. knut.tore.lappegard@gmail.com
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Lappegård
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hovland
authors.forename: G A M
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Pop
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Mollnes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants