Atrial remodeling, systemic hypertension, stroke
Donal, E.; Herpin, D.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 98(1): 53-57
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 15724420 Document Number: 594531
Atrial remodeling has been demonstrated to be associated with rapid atrial pacing or with hemodynamic overload. It may refer to changes in electrophysiological properties and/or in structure and function. Hemodynamic overload of the atria has been found to be an important pathogenic factor of atrial fibrosis, providing a morphological substrate for atrial fibrillation. This finding could partly account for the high risk of stroke in hypertensive patients. In this respect, a strong involvement of the renin angiotensin system has been suggested by experimental, clinical and epidemiological data. Thus, prevention or even partial regression of atrial remodeling could be reasonably expected from ACE-inhibitors and angiotensin 2-blockers.