Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2025

Estimating Bilateral Atrial Function by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Feature Tracking in Patients with Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: July 20, 2022
Ion channel dysfunction and fibrosis in atrial fibrillation: Two sides of the same coin
Gianmarco Arabia1,2, Maria Giulia Bellicini1, Angelica Cersosimo1
1Cardiology Department, Spedali Civili Hospital, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
Background:
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm disorder that is associated with an increased risk of stroke and heart failure (HF). Initially, an association between AF and ion channel dysfunction was identified, classifying the pathology as a predominantly electrical disease. More recently it has been recognized that fibrosis and structural atrial remodeling play a driving role in the development of this arrhythmia also in these cases.
Purpose:
Understanding the role of fibrosis in genetic determined AF could be important to better comprise the pathophysiology of this arrhythmia and to refine its management also in nongenetic forms. In this review we analyze genetic and epigenetic mechanisms responsible for AF and their link with atrial fibrosis, then we will consider analogies with the pathophysiological mechanism in nongenetic AF, and discuss consequent therapeutic options.
Related Concept Videos
Imbalances in Cardiac Output
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send...
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow...
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...

