The role of the renin-angiotensin system in atrial fibrillation and the therapeutic effects of ACE-Is and ARBS

2008

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common rhythm disturbance in medical practice and represents a very expensive health problem. AF can be managed with the prevention of thromboembolism and either a rate control of rhythm strategy. As both strategies have important limitations, probably a preventative strategy in patients at risk of developing arrhythmia can be a more attractive option. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) seems to be involved in the genesis of arrhythmia by the following two mechanisms: 1. the induction of atrial fibrosis and structural remodelling by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) expression and reduction of collagenase activity; 2. the induction of electrical re…