[Atrial cardiomyopathy as a link between atrial fibrillation and stroke. Clinical implications and future diagnostic-therapeutic implications]

Abstract

Atrial myopathy is characterized by atrial fibrotic remodeling, together with electrical, mechanic and autonomic remodeling. Methods to identify atrial myopathy include atrial electrograms, tissue biopsy, cardiac imaging, and serum biomarkers. Accumulating data show that individuals with markers of atrial myopathy have an increased risk of developing both atrial fibrillation and strokes. The aim of the present review is to present atrial myopathy as a pathophysiologic and clinical entity, to describe methods for its detection and the possible implications on management and therapy in selected group of patients.