Atrial Fibrillation and Related Complications: Pathogenetic, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Perspectives

Dear Colleagues,

Atrial fibrillation (AF) remains the most prevalent form of arrhythmia and affects millions of people worldwide. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation rises with age and increases annually. AF has serious consequences, such as heart failure, embolic stroke, and patient discomfort. The ectopic activity of pulmonary veins is the best-studied cause of atrial fibrillation. Electrical disturbances due to structural or electrical remodeling lead to its more facile induction and support the maintenance of arrhythmia. Transcriptional changes in atrial ion channels or impaired calcium homeostasis play a key role in the  development of chronic atrial fibrillation. However, the pathogenesis described above remains preliminary. Further studies are needed to help understand the genetic, metabolic, and ionic changes implicated in the development of AF. The diagnosis of AF is straightforward using ECG. However, some controversial issues remain to be elucidated, such as the monitoring of AF for asymptomatic patients, atrial high-rate episodes, and the utilization of modern electronic devices that enable physicians to detect AF in a timely manner. These fields also warrant further investigation. The treatment modalities applicable to AF include rate/rhythm control, stroke prevention and ablation. However, some advances in the treatment of AF have been made; these include the development of novel anti-arrhythmic drugs or the treatment of ionic channelopathy. These therapeutics methods are rapidly advancing and we are expecting further innovations.

This Research Topic welcomes basic, translational, clinical, and applied research that enhances our understanding of atrial fibrillation. Potential areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation, from genetic, ionic channel to atrial tissue and structural changes;
• The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation;
• Therapeutic approaches to AF, including novel anti-arrhythmic drugs, genetic therapy and ablation (newer target by newer algorithms), etc.

We welcome the submission of reviews and original research papers.

Dr. Jien Jiun Chen
Guest Editor

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• atrial fibrillation
• complication
• genetics
• pathogenesis
• ablation
• stroke prevention