title: Diagnosing Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: Are Biomarkers the Solution to This Elusive Arrhythmia?
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest sustained arrhythmia globally and results in significantly increased morbidity and mortality including a fivefold risk of stroke. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) constitutes approximately half of all AF cases and is thought to represent an early stage of the disease. This intermittent form of atrial arrhythmia can be a challenge to identify and as a result many affected individuals are not prescribed appropriate antithrombotic therapy and hence are at risk of stroke and thromboembolism. Despite these adverse outcomes there have been relatively few diagnostic advances in the field since the introduction of the Holter monitor in 1949. This review aims to establish the available evidence for electrophysiological, molecular, and morphological biomarkers to improve the detection of PAF with reference to the underlying mechanisms for the condition.
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Medicine, The University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Howlett
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Medicine, The University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Hatch
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Medicine, The University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alexeenko
authors.affiliation: School of Biosciences and Medicine, The University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK.
authors.forename: R I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Jabr
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford GU2 7XX, UK.
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Leatham
authors.affiliation: School of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Fry
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers