Hypercoagulability Promotes Atrial Fibrosis and Fibrillation

Hypercoagulability and haemodynamic abnormalities in atrial fibrillation.

Non-valvar atrial fibrillation confers a substantial risk for stroke and thromboembolism which is estimated to be between 4-5% and 12% per year depending on associated risk factors.'2 Recent studies have established the value of warfarin as thromboprophylaxis in atrial fibrillation; however, this treatment carries with it the inconvenience of regular monitoring of anticoagulation intensity and ...

Fibrosis, myofibroblasts, and atrial fibrillation.

Aldosterone promotes atrial fibrillation.

AIMS Hyperaldosteronism is associated with an increased prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unclear whether this is the consequence of altered haemodynamics or a direct aldosterone effect. It was the aim of the study to demonstrate load-independent effects of aldosterone on atrial structure and electrophysiology. METHODS Osmotic mini-pumps delivering 1.5 µg/h aldosterone we...

Atrial ischemia promotes atrial fibrillation in dogs.

BACKGROUND Coronary artery disease is a significant risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the basis for this association is incompletely understood. The present study evaluated the hypothesis that atrial ischemia can create a substrate for AF maintenance. METHODS AND RESULTS Atrial ischemia was induced by occlusion of an atrial arterial branch that did not provide blood flow to the ve...

Atrial fibrosis: mechanisms and clinical relevance in atrial fibrillation.

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 u...