Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Panagiotis Theofilis, Evangelos Oikonomou, Alexios S. Antonopoulos, Gerasimos Siasos, Konstantinos Tsioufis, Dimitris Tousoulis
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common sustained arrhythmia, and pharmacologic treatment is the main approach. However, recent progress in percutaneous interventional approaches, such as catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion, provides additional options for management and reduces complications. Catheter ablation may be a first-line treatment option for patients with persistent AF or concomitant heart failure. Percutaneous device implantation for left atrial appendage occlusion reduces thromboembolism risk.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Norbert Jost, Torsten Christ, Janos Magyar
Summary: Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia that significantly impacts the health of the elderly population. Intense effort in basic research over the past few decades has advanced understanding of the relationship between atrial remodelling and the development of AF.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jorge G. Quintanilla, Shlomo Shpun, Jose Jalife, David Filgueiras-Rama
Summary: Modern cardiac electrophysiology has made significant advancements in understanding the mechanisms of atrial fibrillation (AF) and the debate between randomly propagating wavelets and deterministic rotors continues. Recent research supports the feasibility of targeting and ablating AF driver regions outside of pulmonary veins. New technologies and methodologies have provided platforms for clinicians to implement novel approaches in AF ablation procedures.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
Suhang Duan, Jianlin Du
Summary: Although the exact mechanisms are unclear, there is evidence supporting a strong correlation between sinus node dysfunction (SND) and atrial fibrillation (AF), both in terms of clinical presentation and formation mechanisms. The association between SND and AF involves factors such as ion channel remodeling, gap junction abnormalities, structural remodeling, genetic mutations, neuromodulation abnormalities, adenosine effects, oxidative stress, and viral infections. Treatments targeting common mechanisms, such as ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation, can have dual therapeutic effects on both SND and AF.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jason G. Andrade, George A. Wells, Marc W. Deyell, Matthew Bennett, Vidal Essebag, Jean Champagne, Jean-Francois Roux, Derek Yung, Allan Skanes, Yaariv Khaykin, Carlos Morillo, Umjeet Jolly, Paul Novak, Evan Lockwood, Guy Amit, Paul Angaran, John Sapp, Stephan Wardell, Sandra Lauck, Laurent Macle, Atul Verma
Summary: In patients with symptomatic, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, catheter cryoballoon ablation was associated with a significantly lower rate of atrial fibrillation recurrence compared to antiarrhythmic drug therapy. The ablation group also had better outcomes in terms of atrial tachyarrhythmia occurrence and atrial fibrillation burden.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jason G. Andrade, Oussama M. Wazni, Malte Kuniss, Nathaniel M. Hawkins, Marc W. Deyell, Gian-Battista Chierchia, Steven Nissen, Atul Verma, George A. Wells, Ricky D. Turgeon
Summary: Cryoballoon catheter ablation has been shown to significantly improve arrhythmia outcomes, produce clinically meaningful improvements in patient-reported outcomes, reduce subsequent health care resource use, and not increase the risk of serious adverse events compared with initial antiarrhythmic drug therapy in patients with treatment-naive AF.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Karina Huynh
Summary: A study reveals that macrophages in the atria of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) undergo significant expansion, highlighting two potential immunotherapy targets for AF treatment.
NATURE REVIEWS CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mario Gaudino, Antonino Di Franco, Lisa Q. Rong, Jonathan Piccini, Michael Mack
Summary: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after various surgical procedures, especially cardiac surgery, and is associated with prolonged hospital stay, increased costs, and higher risk of recurrent AF and adverse cardiovascular events. Recent research has provided new insights into the pathophysiology of POAF and proposed novel preventive and therapeutic strategies. This review summarizes the current evidence on the incidence, prevention, and treatment of POAF, and highlights the future directions for clinical research.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jelena Kornej, Vanessa A. Hanger, Ludovic Trinquart, Darae Ko, Sarah R. Preis, Emelia J. Benjamin, Honghuang Lin
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia with unknown molecular mechanisms, but recent advances in high-throughput technologies have enabled large-scale molecular profiling and identification of potential biomarkers. Studies on multiomics profiles have led to the discovery of novel biomarkers for AF, with ongoing discussions on limitations and future directions in risk assessment and therapeutic target discovery.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Atul E. Verma, David V. Haines, Lucas Boersma, Nitesh Sood, Andrea E. Natale, Francis Marchlinski, Hugh Calkins, Prashanthan L. Sanders, Douglas Packer, Karl-Heinz Kuck, Gerhard Hindricks, Birce Onal, Jeffrey Cerkvenik, Hiroshi B. Tada, David DeLurgio, PULSED AF Investigators
Summary: Pulsed field ablation is an effective and safe method for treating patients with atrial fibrillation. It has comparable effectiveness to traditional catheter ablation but with a lower rate of complications.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gregory F. Michaud, William G. Stevenson
Summary: A 63-year-old healthy male with atrial fibrillation presents with symptoms of dyspnea and irregular heartbeat. Physical examination reveals high blood pressure, irregular pulse, and ECG confirms atrial fibrillation. Further evaluation and treatment plan are needed.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sina Safabakhsh, Pankaj Panwar, Scott Barichello, Sarabjit S. Sangha, Paul J. Hanson, Filip Van Petegem, Zachary Laksman
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The post-translational modification of proteins, especially protein phosphorylation, may explain how risk factors lead to AF. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a common and highly resolute technique for studying protein phosphorylation, and future research utilizing MS technology aims to better understand the role of phosphorylation in the pathophysiology of AF.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jo-Nan Liao, Su-Shen Lim, Tzeng-Ji Chen, Ta-Chuan Tuan, Shih-Ann Chen, Tze-Fan Chao
Summary: The modified Taiwan AF score based on age and clinical comorbidities can be used to predict incident AF in the Asian population. The risk of AF increases with higher scores.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chun-Ka Wong, Hung-Fat Tse
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia requiring rhythm control, but current medications have limited efficacy and significant side effects. This review explores potential drug targets and new methodologies, such as gene therapy and stem cell technologies, in the development of more effective treatments for AF. Recent advances in understanding the underlying mechanisms of AF are leading to a shift towards developing therapeutic agents targeting these mechanisms, with promising results in novel treatment approaches.
EXPERT OPINION ON DRUG DISCOVERY
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Gian Marco De Marchis, Luciano A. Sposato, Michael Kuehne, Tolga D. Dittrich, Leo H. Bonati, Urs Fischer, Seemant Chaturvedi
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of ischemic stroke and dementia, necessitating a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach to address the complex challenges it poses. Considerations include timing of anticoagulant therapy post-stroke, comparison of different types of anticoagulants, harms of bridging therapy, appropriate dosing, AF screening, left atrial appendage occlusion, rhythm-control therapy, lifestyle interventions, and the relationship between AF and dementia.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xixiao Li, Anna Garcia-Elias, Begona Benito, Stanley Nattel
Summary: This article reviews the direct effects of stretch on cardiac fibroblasts, discussing the similarities and differences among studies in observed effects, the signaling pathways involved, and the factors affecting stretch-related phenotypes. The evidence regarding direct fibroblast activation by stretch is deemed weak and inconsistent, and further research is needed to clarify this issue.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jordi Heijman, Henry Sutanto, Harry J. G. M. Crijns, Stanley Nattel, Natalia A. Trayanova
Summary: This review discusses the emerging and future applications of computational modeling in atrial fibrillation (AF) management. Computational modeling enables understanding of AF mechanisms, risk prediction, and personalized therapy, but faces challenges and limitations in routine clinical application. Future perspectives include the increasing prominence of computational modeling in clinical trials with rapid advancements in electronic technologies.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Svetlana Reilly, Stanley Nattel
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Donghai Liu, Andrew Taehun Song, Xiaoyan Qi, Patrick Piet van Vliet, Jiening Xiao, Feng Xiong, Gregor Andelfinger, Stanley Nattel
Summary: Endogenous cardiac pacemaker function is regulated by Shugoshin-1, which interacts with HCN4 to enhance pacemaker activity. The p.Lys23Glu mutation in Shugoshin-1 disrupts this interaction, leading to impaired pacemaking and dysrhythmic activity in patients with Chronic Atrial and Intestinal Dysrhythmia Syndrome.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Stanley Nattel, Gregory Y. H. Lip, David Filgueiras-Rama, Dobromir Dobrev
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mohit M. Hulsurkar, Satadru K. Lahiri, Oliver Moore, Lucia M. Moreira, Issam Abu-Taha, Markus Kamler, Dobromir Dobrev, Stanley Nattel, Svetlana Reilly, Xander H. T. Wehrens
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francis J. A. Leblanc, Faezeh Vahdati Hassani, Laura Liesinger, Xiaoyan Qi, Patrice Naud, Ruth Birner-Gruenberger, Guillaume Lettre, Stanley Nattel
Summary: This study comprehensively characterized transcriptomic changes in the left atria of 2 canine AF models, identifying thousands of differentially expressed genes and novel pathways implicated in tissue remodeling and cellular trans-differentiation. Dysregulation of noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs and the long noncoding RNA MEG3, was also observed, providing insights into glutamate signaling in AF pathophysiology.
CIRCULATION-ARRHYTHMIA AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Francis J. A. Leblanc, Guillaume Lettre, Stanley Nattel
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ihab Elsokkari, Yukiomi Tsuji, John L. Sapp, Stanley Nattel
Summary: Electrical storm, a condition characterized by frequent ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation within a short period, is becoming more common with the widespread use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy. It is considered a medical emergency that requires hospitalization and expert management, significantly impacting short- and long-term outcomes. This condition typically occurs in patients with structural heart disease or inherited channelopathies. The management involves maintaining hemodynamic stability, ICD interrogation and reprogramming, identification and management of triggers, and the use of antiarrhythmic drugs or catheter ablation.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Stanley Nattel
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Amanda K. Morrow, T. Andrew Zabel, Jennifer Dodson, Sarah A. Korth
CIRCULATION-ARRHYTHMIA AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Mozhdeh Mehdizadeh, Martin Aguilar, Eric Thorin, Gerardo Ferbeyre, Stanley Nattel
Summary: This review discusses the role of cellular senescence in cardiac disease, outlines therapeutic strategies for targeting senescence, and considers potential implications for improving the management of patients with heart disease. The complex senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) of senescent cells has important effects on cell and tissue biology. Future research is needed to better understand the precise role of senescent cells in various cardiac pathologies and develop strategies for preventing their accumulation.
NATURE REVIEWS CARDIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Monika Gawalko, Arnela Saljic, Na Li, Issam Abu-Taha, Thomas Jespersen, Dominik Linz, Stanley Nattel, Jordi Heijman, Anke Fender, Dobromir Dobrev
Summary: Obesity is a significant contributing factor to atrial fibrillation (AF) by causing systemic changes and affecting different adipose tissue depots. Adipose tissue secretes various mediators that promote AF and cardiac remodeling. This review discusses the role of obesity-related factors, specific adipose tissue depots, and molecular mechanisms in AF, highlighting gaps in current knowledge and implications for clinical management.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Dobromir Dobrev, Jordi Heijman, Roddy Hiram, Na Li, Stanley Nattel
Summary: This Review discusses the role of cardiomyocyte inflammatory signaling in atrial fibrillation (AF), evaluates the therapeutic potential associated with these signaling pathways, and highlights crucial questions for future research. The authors summarize the evidence for the involvement of inflammation in AF and focus on the NLRP3 inflammasome in atrial cardiomyocytes as a potential key player. They also discuss the possibility of similar signaling in non-myocyte cardiac cells and the importance of active resolution of inflammation in suppressing AF-related inflammatory signaling. The review concludes by considering the therapeutic potential and broader implications of this knowledge.
NATURE REVIEWS CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Sandro Ninni, Stanley Nattel
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)