title: Atrial fibrillation: In the light of new hypothesis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. Many studies have investigated the cause for the development of AF, however, the question remains unanswered.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparison of hydrodynamics between AF and sinus rhythm was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  I proposed the hypothesis that atrial fibrillation is a protective physiological mechanism, based on the termination of atrial mechanical systole. This reduces the pressure in the system of the pulmonary veins and alveolar capillaries in pathological situations, and thus reduces the likelihood for development of pulmonary congestion and edema.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hypothesis is well correlated with the known facts and phenomenons associated with AF, and explains the causes of the onset of AF in different conditions and diseases.
authors.affiliation: The Sheba Medical Center, Rehabilitation Hospital, Ramat Gan, Eilat St. 33, Apt 4, Holon, Israel. Electronic address: water5945@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tilman
mesh_terms: D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D013599:Systole; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*