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Updated: Jul 27, 2025

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Diabetes mellitus and atrial fibrillation-from pathophysiology to treatment
Marianna Leopoulou1, Panagiotis Theofilis1, Athanasios Kordalis1
11 Cardiology Clinic, 'Hippokration' General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Athens 11527, Greece.
Abstract:
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular complications around the globe and one of the most common medical conditions. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common supraventricular arrhythmia, with a rapidly increasing prevalence. T2DM has been closely associated with the risk of AF development, identified as an independent risk factor. Regarding cardio-vascular complications, both AF and T2DM have been linked with high mortality. The underlying pathophysiology has not been fully determined yet; however, it is multifactorial, including structural, electrical, and autonomic pathways. Novel therapies include pharmaceutical agents in sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors, as well as antiarrhythmic strategies, such as cardioversion and ablation. Of interest, glucose-lowering therapies may affect the prevalence of AF. This review presents the current evidence regarding the connection between the two entities, the pathophysiological pathways that link them, and the therapeutic options that exist.
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