Atrial fibrillation and arterial hypertension: A common duet with dangerous consequences where the renin angiotensin-aldosterone system plays an important role.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia, as it affects 1%-2% of the general population and up to 15% of people over 80 years. High blood pressure, due to its high prevalence in the general population, is by far the most common condition associated with AF, although a variety of diseases, including valvular, coronary heart and metabolic diseases, are held to create the substrate favouring AF. Due to the concomitance of these conditions, it is quite challenging to dissect the precise role of high blood pressure in triggering/causing AF. Hence, even though the intimate association between high blood pressure and AF has been known for decades, the underlying mechanisms remain partially unknown. Accumulating evidences point to a major role of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in inducing cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, and therefore electric and structural atrial and ventricular remodelling, with changes in ions and cell junctions leading to AF development. These evidences are herein reviewed with a particular emphasis to the role of the renin-angiotensin-system aldosterone system.

• Authors: Teresa Maria Seccia, Brasilina Caroccia, Maria Lorenza Muiesan, Gian Paolo Rossi
• Journal: International journal of cardiology (Int J Cardiol) Vol. 206 Pg. 71-6 (Mar 01 2016) ISSN: 1874-1754 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 26774837 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Atrial Fibrillation (genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Atrial Remodeling
• Comorbidity
• Female
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease
• Humans
• Hypertension (genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Male
• Renin-Angiotensin System (physiology)