Atrial fibrillation: pathophysiology and current therapy

Ann Med. 2011;43(6):425-36. doi: 10.3109/07853890.2011.554426. Epub 2011 Mar 2.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia with rapid and irregular atrial activity. Instead of uniformly contracting as one chamber, the atrial compartment fibrillates. Several studies have demonstrated that this arrhythmia contributes substantially to cardiac morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this review is to describe the pathophysiology and clinical management of this arrhythmia.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Atrial Fibrillation / complications
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Stroke / etiology
  • Stroke / prevention & control*
  • Thromboembolism / etiology
  • Thromboembolism / prevention & control*