Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 7, 2025
08:10
Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
2.0K
Atrial Myopathy Underlying Atrial Fibrillation
Harold Rivner1, Raul D Mitrani1, Jeffrey J Goldberger1
1Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, US.
Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review
|September 28, 2020
Summary
Atrial myopathy, a key factor in atrial fibrillation (AF), is often overlooked in current treatments. Targeting this underlying condition, particularly atrial fibrosis, shows promise in reducing AF occurrence and burden.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Electrophysiology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly arises from underlying atrial disease.
- Current AF assessment and treatment strategies do not adequately address the contributing atrial myopathy.
- Atrial myopathy, including fibrosis, can create a cycle where it leads to AF, which then exacerbates the myopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of atrial myopathy as a substrate for AF.
- To emphasize the need for therapies that target the underlying atrial myopathy.
- To review current methods for assessing atrial myopathy and discuss emerging therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on atrial myopathy and AF.
- Discussion of diagnostic techniques: ECG, plasma biomarkers, electroanatomical voltage mapping, echocardiography, and cardiac MRI.
- Analysis of current AF treatments and their limitations regarding atrial myopathy.
Main Results:
- Atrial myopathy, especially fibrosis, is a critical substrate for AF.
- Existing diagnostic tools can identify and quantify aspects of atrial myopathy.
- Current AF treatments like catheter ablation do not directly resolve the underlying myopathy.
Conclusions:
- Addressing atrial myopathy is crucial for effective AF management.
- Emerging research suggests that targeting atrial myopathy can decrease AF incidence and burden.
- A shift towards treating the substrate of AF, rather than just the arrhythmia, is needed.
Related Concept Videos
01:25ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
303
Arrhythmia is a condition characterized by an irregular heart rhythm, with ECG changes that differ based on its origin and nature. The types of arrhythmias discussed below include atrial, junctional, and ventricular arrhythmias.Atrial ArrhythmiasPremature Atrial Complexes (PACs): PACs are early atrial beats caused by stress, caffeine, alcohol, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, hyperthyroidism, or certain medications (e.g., bronchodilators and decongestants). The ECG shows early P waves with an...
303
01:29Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
302
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
302
01:29Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
234
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
234
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
267
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
267
01:29Cardiomyopathy V: Interprofessional Care
176
Managing cardiomyopathy involves addressing underlying or precipitating causes, treating heart failure with medications, and implementing dietary changes and a balanced exercise and rest regimen.Lifestyle ModificationsCardiomyopathy patients should adopt a low-sodium diet to reduce fluid retention and manage heart failure. A personalized exercise and rest plan helps maintain physical fitness without overstraining the heart. Avoiding alcohol and tobacco is essential to prevent further damage to...
176
01:28Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
1.5K
Arrhythmias are irregular heart rhythms occurring when the heart's electrical impulses become abnormal. These disturbances can lead to various symptoms, depending on their severity and the underlying cause. Some common factors contributing to arrhythmias include hypoxia, ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, excessive catecholamine exposure, drug toxicity, and muscle overstretching. Arrhythmias can be classified into two main types based on the rate and site of origin of abnormal heart rhythms.
1.5K