title: Novel upstream approaches to prevent atrial fibrillation perpetuation.
abstract: The mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans are poorly understood. In particular, we simply do not understand how atrial AF becomes persistent or permanent. The objective of this brief review is to address the most important factors involved in the mechanism of AF perpetuation, including structural remodeling in the form of fibrosis and electrical remodeling secondary to ion channel expression changes. In addition, I discuss the possibility that both fibrosis and electrical remodeling might be preventable when intervening pharmacologically early enough before the remodeling process reaches a point of no return.
authors.affiliation: Center for Arrhythmia Research, Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: jjalife@umich.edu.
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jalife
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D064752:Atrial Remodeling / Q000502:physiology*; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011314:Preventive Health Services; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000502:physiology
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Fibrosis; Myocytes; Myofibroblast