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Review
. 2008 Jan;92(1):41-51, x.
doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2007.09.005.

Genetics of atrial fibrillation

Patrick T Ellinor  1 , B Alexander Yi, Calum A MacRae
Affiliations
Review

Genetics of atrial fibrillation

Patrick T Ellinor et al. Med Clin North Am. 2008 Jan.

Abstract

Recent studies of atrial fibrillation (AF) have identified mutations in a series of ion mutations; however, these channels appear to be relatively rare causes of AF. Recent genome-wide association studies for AF have identified novel variants associated with the disease, although the mechanism of action for these variants remains unknown. Ultimately, a greater understanding of the genetics of AF should yield insights into novel pathways, therapeutic targets, and diagnostic testing for this common arrhythmia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Both gain of function and loss of function mutations in IKs have been associated with AF. Mutations in KCNQ1 and KCNE2 increase the current IKs, which is predicted to shorten the action potential (dashed line) in cardiac myocytes and render atrial myocytes susceptible to reentrant arrhythmias. Mutations in KCNA5 (Kv1.5) that are predicted to prolong the action potential duration (dotted line) have also been associated with AF.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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