Role of Oxidative Stress in Pathogenesis and Perpetuation of Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice.Accumulating evidence suggests that there is a link between oxidative processes and atrial fibrillation.In atrial myocardium during atrial fibrillation,there is substantial oxidative damage that may contribute to atrial remodeling.Several pathophysiological changes that are possibly associated with increased oxidative stress in atrial fibrillation have been proposed.These include changes in gene transcriptional profiles and mitochondrial DNA,increased activity of enzymes such as NAD(P)H oxidase and xanthine oxidase,inflammatory processes,activation of the renin-angiotensin system and others.