Inflammation, atrial fibrillation, and the potential role for colchicine therapy

Bibin Varghese, MD; David I. Feldman, MD; Christopher Chew, BA; Eva Valilis, MD; Roger S. Blumenthal, MD; Garima Sharma, MBBS; Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS

Heart Rhythm O2 (Jun 2021)

Inflammation, atrial fibrillation, and the potential role for colchicine therapy

Bibin Varghese, MD,
David I. Feldman, MD,
Christopher Chew, BA,
Eva Valilis, MD,
Roger S. Blumenthal, MD,
Garima Sharma, MBBS,
Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS

Affiliations

Bibin Varghese, MD: Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
David I. Feldman, MD: Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Christopher Chew, BA: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Eva Valilis, MD: Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Roger S. Blumenthal, MD: Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Garima Sharma, MBBS: Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Hugh Calkins, MD, FHRS: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland; Address reprint requests and correspondence: Dr Hugh Calkins, Professor of Medicine, Director of Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe St, Baltimore, MD 21287.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 2, no. 3
pp. 298 – 303

Abstract

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Increasing evidence suggests that the “NACHT-LRR and PYD domain-containing protein 3” (NLRP3) inflammasome plays an important role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Recent preclinical evidence has suggested that the NLRP3 inflammasome may play a prominent role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). As such, the therapies that have shown efficacy in reducing ASCVD events may also prove beneficial in AF. In this article, we review the findings that implicate the NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of AF, discuss existing evidence behind the use of anti-inflammatory agents for AF, and discuss the future role that colchicine and other anti-inflammatory agents may play in the prevention and treatment of AF.

Published in Heart Rhythm O2

ISSN: 2666-5018 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/heart-rhythm-o2

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