Logo Medical Science Monitor

Call: +1.631.470.9640
Mon - Fri 10:00 am - 02:00 pm EST

Contact Us

Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor Logo Medical Science Monitor

08 September 2003

Atrial fibrillation and electrical remodeling: the potential role of inflammation and oxidative stress

Panagiotis Korantzopoulos, Theofilos Kolettis, Kostas Siogas, John Goudevenos

Med Sci Monit 2003; 9(9): RA225-229 :: ID: 13210

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. The pathophysiology of AF is complex, but in most cases it may be caused by multiple random re-entering wavelets. As generally known, the development of AF leads to electrophysiological and cellular changes in the atria that tend to sustain AF, a process known as electrical remodeling. In addition, it has been proposed that electrical remodeling contributes to the high incidence of early recurrence of AF after cardioversion. The principal characteristics of this process are the shortening of the refractory period with increased dispersion, the loss of rate adaptation, and the reduction of atrial conductivity. On the molecular level, calcium accumulation in myocytes seems to trigger electrophysiological changes leading to reduction in the intensity of L-type calcium current. Currently, the role of inflammation and oxidative stress on electrical remodeling is under investigation. C-reactive protein (CRP), a major inflammatory marker, has been found to be increased in both persistent and paroxysmal AF. Additionally, CRP may have prognostic significance regarding successful cardioversion of AF, and may predict recurrences of arrhythmia. On the other hand, it has been demonstrated that increased oxidative damage occurs in the atria of AF patients and may contribute to electrical remodeling. Interestingly, a prodromal antioxidant intervention study showed beneficial effects from vitamin C on incidence of postoperative AF. The role of inflammation and oxidative stress in AF deserves further study, since amelioration of atrial electrical remodeling by conventional antiarrhythmics has been proved ineffective.

Keywords: Inflammation - physiopathology

Add Comment 0 Comments

1005 43

Editorial

01 December 2023 : Editorial  

Editorial: Outbreaks of Post-Pandemic Childhood Pneumonia and the Re-Emergence of Endemic Respiratory Infections

Dinah V. Parums
Science Editor, Medical Science Monitor, International Scientific Information, Inc., Melville, NY, USA

DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943312

Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e943312

In Press

30 Nov 2023 : Review article  

Decoding the Neurological Sequelae of General Anesthesia: A Review

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:  

30 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Enhanced Pain Relief and Muscle Growth in Individuals with Low Back Instability: The Impact of Blood Flow R...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:  

29 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Comparative Analysis of Intramedullary Nail versus Plate Fixation for Fibula Fracture in Supination Externa...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:  

29 Nov 2023 : Clinical Research  

Impact of COVID-19 on Academic Burnout among Medical College Students in China: Findings from a Web-Based S...

Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI:  

Most Viewed Current Articles

13 Nov 2021 : Clinical Research  

Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccination and Its Associated Factors Among Cancer Patients Attending the Oncology ...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.932788

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e932788

0:00

30 Dec 2021 : Clinical Research  

Retrospective Study of Outcomes and Hospitalization Rates of Patients in Italy with a Confirmed Diagnosis o...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.935379

Med Sci Monit 2021; 27:e935379

0:00

14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research  

Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase Levels

DOI :10.12659/MSM.937990

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990

0:00

08 Mar 2022 : Review article  

A Review of the Potential Roles of Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Pharmacological Approaches for the Man...

DOI :10.12659/MSM.936292

Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e936292

0:00

Your Privacy

We use cookies to ensure the functionality of our website, to personalize content and advertising, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. If you allow us to do so, we also inform our social media, advertising and analysis partners about your use of our website, You can decise for yourself which categories you you want to deny or allow. Please note that based on your settings not all functionalities of the site are available. View our privacy policy.

Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750
Medical Science Monitor eISSN: 1643-3750