TACHYCARDIA-INDUCED ATRIAL MYOPATHY - AN IMPORTANT MECHANISM IN THE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ATRIAL-FIBRILLATION

The atrial myocardium of patients with chronic atrial fibrillation (AF ) is often abnormal in its histologic features and in its electrophysi ologic properties, These abnormalities have been interpreted in some c ases as the cause of AF and in others as a consequence of AF, We belie ve that both are the case, We will review the features of this atrial myopathy and discuss the likely mechanisms and consequences of the pro cess.