Role of atrial structural and functional changes in the development and progression of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common reasons for decreased life quality and increased mortality rates. Experimental and clinical data show that atrial structural and functional changes contribute to the development and progression of AF. The survey article considers the role of the systemic and local activities of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and inflammatory mediators in the development of atrial structural remodeling, which may be a cause and a consequence of AF.

Keywords

• atrial fibrillation
• structural remodeling
• inflammation
• renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system