Document Detail


Atrial fibrosis: mechanisms and clinical relevance in atrial fibrillation.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  18294563     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the clinical setting, and traditional pharmacological approaches have proved to have important weaknesses. Structural remodeling has been observed in both clinical and experimental AF paradigms, and is an important feature of the AF substrate, producing fibrosis that alters atrial tissue composition and function. The precise mechanisms underlying atrial fibrosis are not fully elucidated, but recent experimental studies and clinical investigations have provided valuable insights. A variety of signaling systems, particularly involving angiotensin II and related mediators, seem to be centrally involved in the promotion of fibrosis. This paper reviews the current understanding of how atrial fibrosis creates a substrate for AF, summarizes what is known about the mechanisms underlying fibrosis and its progression, and highlights emerging therapeutic approaches aimed at attenuating structural remodeling to prevent AF.
Authors:
Brett Burstein; Stanley Nattel
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of the American College of Cardiology     Volume:  51     ISSN:  1558-3597     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Am. Coll. Cardiol.     Publication Date:  2008 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-02-25     Completed Date:  2008-03-06     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8301365     Medline TA:  J Am Coll Cardiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  802-9     Citation Subset:  AIM; IM    
Affiliation:
Research Center and Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, and Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / pharmacology,  therapeutic use
Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy,  etiology*,  pathology*
Fibrosis
Heart Atria / drug effects,  pathology*
Humans
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Arrhythmia Agents

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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