Inflammation and the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation
- PMID: 25622848
- DOI: 10.1038/nrcardio.2015.2
Inflammation and the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. However, the development of preventative therapies for AF has been disappointing. The infiltration of immune cells and proteins that mediate the inflammatory response in cardiac tissue and circulatory processes is associated with AF. Furthermore, the presence of inflammation in the heart or systemic circulation can predict the onset of AF and recurrence in the general population, as well as in patients after cardiac surgery, cardioversion, and catheter ablation. Mediators of the inflammatory response can alter atrial electrophysiology and structural substrates, thereby leading to increased vulnerability to AF. Inflammation also modulates calcium homeostasis and connexins, which are associated with triggers of AF and heterogeneous atrial conduction. Myolysis, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and the activation of fibrotic pathways via fibroblasts, transforming growth factor-β and matrix metalloproteases are also mediated by inflammatory pathways, which can all contribute to structural remodelling of the atria. The development of thromboembolism, a detrimental complication of AF, is also associated with inflammatory activity. Understanding the complex pathophysiological processes and dynamic changes of AF-associated inflammation might help to identify specific anti-inflammatory strategies for the prevention of AF.
Similar articles
-
Statin therapy in the prevention and treatment of atrial fibrillation.J Clin Lipidol. 2011 Jan-Feb;5(1):18-29. doi: 10.1016/j.jacl.2010.11.002. Epub 2010 Nov 18. J Clin Lipidol. 2011. PMID: 21262503 Review.
-
Update on the association of inflammation and atrial fibrillation.J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2010 Sep;21(9):1064-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2010.01774.x. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2010. PMID: 20455973 Review.
-
Statins improve surgical ablation outcomes for atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing concomitant cardiac surgery.Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2010 Jul;11(1):24-8. doi: 10.1510/icvts.2009.230060. Epub 2010 Apr 8. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Surg. 2010. PMID: 20378695
-
Tracing the origins of postoperative atrial fibrillation: the concept of oxidative stress-mediated myocardial injury phenomenon.Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2008 Dec;15(6):735-41. doi: 10.1097/HJR.0b013e328317f38a. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2008. PMID: 19020458 Review.
-
Inflammation of atrium after cardiac surgery is associated with inhomogeneity of atrial conduction and atrial fibrillation.Circulation. 2005 Jun 7;111(22):2881-8. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.104.475194. Epub 2005 May 31. Circulation. 2005. PMID: 15927979
Cited by
-
A nationwide study on new onset atrial fibrillation risk factors and its association with hospital mortality in sepsis patients.Sci Rep. 2024 May 28;14(1):12206. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-62630-x. Sci Rep. 2024. PMID: 38806552 Free PMC article.
-
Risk of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Different Cancer Types in Taiwan.Life (Basel). 2024 May 11;14(5):621. doi: 10.3390/life14050621. Life (Basel). 2024. PMID: 38792641 Free PMC article.
-
Cardio-oncology rehabilitation: are we ready?Eur Heart J Suppl. 2024 May 16;26(Suppl 2):ii252-ii263. doi: 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suae030. eCollection 2024 Apr. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2024. PMID: 38784673 Free PMC article.
-
Genetically predicted systemic inflammation and the risk of atrial fibrillation: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2024 May 6;52:101422. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2024.101422. eCollection 2024 Jun. Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2024. PMID: 38756452 Free PMC article.
-
Model for predicting the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after monopolar or bipolar radiofrequency ablation in patients with AF and mitral valve disease.J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024 May 16;19(1):290. doi: 10.1186/s13019-024-02742-7. J Cardiothorac Surg. 2024. PMID: 38750504 Free PMC article.
References
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Medical