Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Monika Gawalko, Thomas A. Agbaedeng, Arnela Saljic, Dominik N. Mueller, Nicola Wilck, Renate Schnabel, John Penders, Michiel Rienstra, Isabelle van Gelder, Thomas Jespersen, Ulrich Schotten, Harry J. G. M. Crijns, Jonathan M. Kalman, Prashanthan Sanders, Stanley Nattel, Dobromir Dobrev, Dominik Linz
Summary: Recent studies suggest that imbalances in gut microbiota composition may contribute to atrial fibrillation (AF), a condition where the heart beats irregularly. The gut microbiota is a complex ecosystem of trillions of microorganisms that can be influenced by factors such as diet and drugs, in addition to individual characteristics. Research explores the potential bidirectional relationship between AF and gut microbiota, examining how the microbiota's metabolites could affect AF development. Additionally, investigations into modifying gut microbiota through pharmacological and dietary interventions are discussed as potential methods to prevent AF progression.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Stan W. van Wijk, Wei Su, Leonoor F. J. M. Wijdeveld, Kennedy S. Ramos, Bianca J. J. M. Brundel
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical tachyarrhythmia with a familial link in some cases. Variants in cytoskeletal protein genes identified through genome sequencing may contribute to the development of cardiomyopathy. These variants could disrupt cardiomyocyte structures and trigger DNA damage, but more research is needed to fully understand the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
Review
Biology
Dan Hu, Hector Barajas-Martinez, Zhong-He Zhang, Hong-Yi Duan, Qing-Yan Zhao, Ming-Wei Bao, Yi-Mei Du, Alexander Burashnikov, Michelle M. Monasky, Carlo Pappone, Cong-Xin Huang, Charles Antzelevitch, Hong Jiang
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia with a high prevalence worldwide. It is associated with an increased risk of death, stroke, and peripheral embolism. Despite genetic studies identifying AF-associated genes, their definitive impact is not yet established. This review discusses recent advances in understanding and managing AF, including epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, and potential treatment options.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alfredo Parra-Lucares, Eduardo Villa, Esteban Romero-Hernandez, Gabriel Mendez-Valdes, Catalina Retamal, Geovana Vizcarra, Ignacio Henriquez, Esteban A. J. Maldonado-Morales, Juan H. Grant-Palza, Sofia Ruiz-Tagle, Victoria Estrada-Bobadilla, Luis Toro
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac condition that primarily affects older adults and is characterized by irregular heartbeat rhythm. It often leads to significant disability and increased mortality rates. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of early restoration of sinus rhythm in improving patient outcomes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(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)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tetsuo Sasano, Kensuke Ihara, Toshihiro Tanaka, Tetsushi Furukawa
Summary: This study aimed to assess the risk of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and stroke using genetic analysis and circulating biomarkers, and found that a genetic risk score using 4 SNPs associated with AF could evaluate the risk of AF. Additionally, plasma cfDNA level could be used to assess the risk of stroke, with diagnostic value for patients with a history of stroke.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Brototo Deb, Prasanth Ganesan, Ruibin Feng, Sanjiv M. Narayan
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of heart failure and stroke, and early maintenance of sinus rhythm has been shown to reduce major cardiovascular endpoints, yet is difficult to achieve. Improving therapy outcomes may require a multifaceted approach that personalizes therapy based on mechanisms measured in individuals across biological scales.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Pawel Muszynski, Tomasz A. Bonda
Summary: Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely related to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation, and reducing the atrial fibrillation burden can be achieved by improving mitochondrial health. Current pharmacological treatment options mainly target mitochondria to prevent or improve the outcome of atrial fibrillation.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Jordi Heijman, Dominik Linz, Ulrich Schotten
Summary: Atrial fibrillation leads to increased morbidity and mortality for millions of individuals, with complex pathophysiological mechanisms and a wide range of comorbidities contributing to atrial remodeling. Recent research suggests that AF risk is not constant, with temporal variations in concomitant conditions adding to the complexity of AF dynamics.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF PHYSIOLOGY, VOL 83
(2021)
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
Cell Biology
Danyel Fernandes Contiliani, Yasmin de Araujo Ribeiro, Vitor Nolasco de Moraes, Tiago Campos Pereira
Summary: miRNAs can interact with prion proteins to elucidate the pathogenesis and pathological features of prion diseases, providing new insights for diagnosis and treatment.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jieyun Bai, Yaosheng Lu, Yijie Zhu, Huijin Wang, Dechun Yin, Henggui Zhang, Diego Franco, Jichao Zhao
Summary: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia with genetic predispositions playing a major role in its development. Genetic variants near the PITX2 gene on chromosome 4q25 have been identified in association with AF populations. Computational models are useful for understanding the functional impacts of PITX2 and may lead to improved anti-AF therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Cell Biology
James Saleeb-Mousa, Demitris Nathanael, Andrew M. Coney, Manish Kalla, Keith L. Brain, Andrew P. Holmes
Summary: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), affecting its induction, maintenance, severity, and treatment. The current prevention method, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), has limited effectiveness due to poor compliance. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of arrhythmia in OSA can lead to the development of better therapies and treatment selection to complement CPAP. Chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) in OSA leads to long-term changes in ion channel currents, inflammation, and fibrosis, contributing to atrial remodeling and dysregulation of electrical function. Atrial stretch during apneas further promotes structural remodeling and affects calcium handling. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanistic insights and their roles in arrhythmia.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Steffen Blum, David Conen
Summary: Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have a higher risk of cognitive decline, especially poststroke AF patients who face a threefold increased risk. The association between AF and cognitive decline is not solely due to previous ischemic strokes, as recent evidence suggests such an association even in AF patients without a history of clinical stroke. Silent brain infarcts and other brain injuries are potential mechanisms for the increased risk of cognitive decline among AF patients. Oral anticoagulation for stroke prevention in AF patients is a proven therapy to prevent brain injury, but the broader use and intensity of anticoagulation need to be further studied. Optimal treatment of comorbidities and risk factors is also recommended for the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Christopher Kowalewski
Summary: This article focuses on milestones and leading hypotheses in the theory of atrial fibrillation, explores different mapping methods, and emphasizes the importance of comparing and combining methods to better understand and treat atrial fibrillation.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jean-Baptiste Guichard, Feng Xiong, Xiao-Yan Qi, Nathalie L'Heureux, Roddy Hiram, Jiening Xiao, Patrice Naud, Jean-Claude Tardif, Antoine Da Costa, Stanley Nattel
Summary: This study assessed the specific contributions of atrial fibrillation-related atrial arrhythmia vs. associated ventricular arrhythmia to remodeling. The results showed that both atrial tachyarrhythmia and rapid ventricular response during AF produce distinct atrial remodelling, providing new insights into AF-related remodeling and ventricular rate-control considerations.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
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)
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
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Patrick Vigneault, Sandrine Parent, Pushpinder Kanda, Connor Michie, Darryl R. Davis, Stanley Nattel
Summary: This study demonstrates that gene transfer of KCNN4 enhances the functional properties and ability of explant-derived cells to improve heart function, indicating a potentially valuable strategy for cardioprotection with progenitor cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Donald M. Bers, Stanley Nattel
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2021)
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)