Electrophysiology of atrial fibrillation [électrophysiologie de la fibrillation atriale]

摘要

Identification of the electrophysiological mechanisms responsible for the occurrence and maintenance of the atrial fibrillation is one of the most active fields of research in cardiology. Major progresses have been made in understanding the formation of micro re- entry circuits of electrical infl ux and focal arrhythmogenic processes. New factors have emerged such as the ryanodine receptor and its role in the calcium- dependent delay after depolarizations and the activation of focal arrhythmias. It is now well established that fibroblasts are key factors in the formation of atrial fibrillation substrate, not only through their role in the constitution of ínterstitial fibrosis but also through their complex effects on cardiac electrophysiology. Progress in genomics has led to the discovery of genes responsible for familial forms of atrial fibrillation together with the genetic factors involved in the occurrence of acquired forms of atrial fibrillation AF.