Role of atrial remodeling in patients with atrial fibrillation

Li Wei Lo, Shih Ann Chen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) maintenance is promoted by an atrial substrate that is suitable for the initiation and continuation of the re-entering wavelets. During the first week of AF, the atrial substrate is modified by electrical remodeling, with shortening of the atrial refractoriness and slowing of the conduction velocity. Structural remodeling is the so-called "second factor" that facilitates the maintenance of AF in the following months. The ultrastructural changes result in an inhomogeneous conduction and electrical uncoupling, and the enlarged atrium is able to accommodate more circulating wavefronts that stabilize the AF. Reversal of the electrical remodeling develops within 1 week after the restoration of AF to sinus rhythm. However, reverse structural remodeling develops more slowly and may be just partially reversible. The substrate properties during AF recurrences after undergoing catheter ablation are more complex and need to be clarified in future studies.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)303-309
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of the Chinese Medical Association
Volume70
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2007

Keywords

  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Remodeling
  • Substrate
  • Voltage

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