HOME SUBSCRIPTIONS CURRENT ISSUE PAST ISSUES CARDIOSOURCE SEARCH HELP FEEDBACK		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Casaclang-Verzosa, G. Articles by Tsang, T. S.M. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Casaclang-Verzosa, G. Articles by Tsang, T. S.M.

STATE-OF-THE-ART PAPER

Structural and Functional Remodeling of the Left Atrium

Clinical and Therapeutic Implications for Atrial Fibrillation

Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Manuscript received August 30, 2007; accepted September 26, 2007.

^_* Reprint requests and correspondence: Dr. Teresa S. M. Tsang, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55901. (Email: tsang.teresa{at}mayo.edu).

Left atrial (LA) structural and functional remodeling reflects a spectrum of pathophysiological changes that have occurred in response to specific stressors. These changes include alterations at the levels of ionic channels, cellular energy balance, neurohormonal expression, inflammatory response, and physiologic adaptations. There is convincing evidence demonstrating an important pathophysiological association between LA remodeling and atrial fibrillation (AF). Measures that will prevent, attenuate, or halt these processes of LA remodeling may have a major public health impact with respect to the epidemic of AF. In this review, we describe the mechanisms involved in LA remodeling and highlight the existing and potential therapeutic options for its reversal, and implications for AF development.

Abbreviations and Acronyms   ACE = angiotensin-converting enzyme   AF = atrial fibrillation   ALT-711 = alagebrium chloride   Ang-II = angiotensin II   ANP = atrial natriuretic peptide   BNP = brain natriuretic peptide   CRP = C-reactive protein   LA = left atrium/atrial   LV = left ventricle/ventricular   MMP = matrix metalloproteinase   TIMP = tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. Casaclang-Verzosa, M. E. Barnes, and T. S.M. Tsang Reply. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 24, 2008; 51(25): 2445 - 2445. [Full Text] [PDF]

				O. Leone, G. Boriani, G. Marinelli, and C. Rapezzi Local amyloidosis as a possible component of the atrial remodeling accompanying trial. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., June 24, 2008; 51(25): 2444 - 2445. [Full Text] [PDF]