Critical inflammatory mechanisms underlying arrhythmias.

Critical inflammatory mechanisms underlying arrhythmias. Herz. 2019 Feb 07;: Authors: Vonderlin N, Siebermair J, Kaya E, Köhler M, Rassaf T, Wakili R Abstract During the past few decades, cardiovascular research has increasingly focused on systemic inflammatory mechanisms, particularly in the field of atherosclerosis but also in association with cardiac arrhythmogenesis. Objective inflammatory markers including C‑reactive protein and cytokines, also called "biomarkers," seem to serve as predictors of onset and prognosis of cardiac arrhythmias. This review gives an overview of potential mechanisms underlying inflammatory processes and arrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation, which is the most common sustained arrhythmia in daily clinical routine. The association between inflammatory pathways and cardiac arrhythmia is highly complex and includes direct as well as indirect pathways. While past research into arrhythmia focused on fibrosis, altered action potential properties, and ischemia, novel concepts include coagulation and inflammation in cardiac tissue. The underlying mechanisms are altered electrophysiological properties, including ion channel disturbance, early and late afterdepolarizations, as well as enhanced fibrosis and structural remodeling in cardiomyopathies. These pathophysiological factors favor the occurrence of ectopic pacemakers as well as re-entry tachycardia. Further studies are essential to better understand...
Source: Herz - Category: Cardiology Tags: Herz Source Type: research