Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Basic mechanisms of atrial fibrillation.

Thomas H Everett1, Jeffrey E Olgin

  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 500 Parnassuss Avenue, MU East 4, Box 1354, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.

Cardiology Clinics
|March 5, 2004
PubMed
Summary

The exact cause of atrial fibrillation (AF) is debated, with evidence supporting multiple theories. Research using animal models and advanced mapping suggests AF mechanisms are substrate-specific and may involve several different processes.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Chromatin topology control by a muscle-specific ribosomal protein.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Nightly sleep as a predictor of next-day arrhythmias in ambulatory adults.

Journal of electrocardiology·2026
Same author

Acute effects of caffeine withdrawal on headache among regular caffeinated coffee drinkers.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Sex-dependent activation of apamin-sensitive small-conductance Ca<sup>2+</sup>-activated K<sup>+</sup> current by β1-adrenergic stimulation in rabbit ventricles.

The Journal of physiology·2026
Same author

Multiview deep learning improves detection of major cardiac conditions from echocardiography.

Nature cardiovascular research·2026
Same author

Using subcutaneous nerve stimulation to control atrial fibrillation.

Heart rhythm O2·2026

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Electrophysiology
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • The underlying mechanisms of atrial fibrillation (AF) are not fully understood, with ongoing debate regarding multiple wavelets, focal sources, and rotor theories.
  • These proposed mechanisms may not be mutually exclusive, particularly concerning small rotors (micro-reentry) and focal triggers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the complex pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF).
  • To investigate the utility of various animal models and advanced mapping techniques in understanding AF mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Development and utilization of diverse animal models to study AF.
  • Application of advanced electrophysiological mapping technologies.
  • Comparative analysis of findings across different animal models.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Significant advancements in understanding AF pathophysiology are being made through current research.
  • Each animal model exhibits unique electrophysiological and structural characteristics, limiting direct generalization.
  • Evidence suggests AF mechanisms are substrate-specific rather than universally uniform.

Conclusions:

  • Atrial fibrillation (AF) likely involves multiple, substrate-specific mechanisms.
  • A single unifying mechanism for all cases of AF is improbable.
  • Future research should consider the heterogeneity of AF mechanisms.