Increased Extracellular Collagen Matrix in Myocardial Sleeves of Pulmonary Veins: An Additional Mechanism Facilitating Repetitive Rapid Activities in Chronic Pacing‐Induced Sustained Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

In chronic atrial pacing-induced sustained AF, structural remodeling (i.e., inhomogeneous increase of ECM) also involves the PVs. Reduced coupling of the myocytes in the PV due to histological changes may provide an additional mechanism facilitating RRAs.