Atrial Fibrillation Structural Substrates: Aetiology, Identification and Implications

AF is the most common sustained cardiac rhythm disorder and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Since the first description of AF initiation by triggers from pulmonary veins sleeves, pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) has become the standard ablation strategy in patients with AF.1 However, freedom from the arrhythmia, particularly in non-paroxysmal AF, remains suboptimal, and it is now clear that, in these patients, AF is maintained by an atrial substrate beyond the pulmonary veins.
Source: Radcliffe Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Source Type: research