Abstract
Mechanisms sustaining atrial fibrillation are yet to be clarified. This article focuses on milestones in the theory of atrial fibrillation and addresses the different leading hypotheses concerning atrial fibrillation mechanisms. We start off with electric potential originating from the pulmonary vein, which triggers atrial fibrillation, discuss classic activation map** and phase map** as well as computer models, which have contributed to the our understanding of atrial fibrillation, and end with new map** methods and studies highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of current mechanistic hypotheses. The technical evolution of map** atrial fibrillation has led to new insights into the potential mechanisms underlying atrial fibrillation. A comparison between methods is essential for understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each method when map** atrial fibrillation. Ultimately, the combination of several methods might shed light on the underlying mechanisms of atrial fibrillation and lead to a better understanding of atrial fibrillation and subsequently improve treatment of this condition.
Zusammenfassung
Welche Mechanismen Vorhofflimmern (VHF) aufrechterhalten, ist Gegenstand aktueller Forschung. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die essenziellen Fortschritte zum Thema Vorhofflimmermechanismen und die verschiedenen, derzeit führenden Hypothesen zur Aufrechterhaltung von Vorhofflimmern dargelegt. Der Artikel beginnt mit einem kurzen Überblick über elektrische Potenziale aus den Pulmonalvenen, welche das Vorhofflimmern auslösen, bietet Einsicht in das klassische Aktivierungs- sowie Phasenmap** und Computersimulationen, die zum Verständnis des Vorhofflimmerns beigetragen haben, und behandelt zuletzt neue Map**methoden und aktuelle Forschungsergebnisse, welche für bzw. gegen die mechanistischen Hypothesen sprechen. Die digitale Revolution führte zu neuen Erkenntnissen in Bezug auf die Mechanismen, die dem Vorhofflimmern zugrunde liegen. Der Vergleich verschiedener Methoden bezüglich ihrer Vor- und Nachteile ist essenziell, um Map**methoden zu kombinieren bzw. neue, bessere Map**methoden zu kreieren und so letztendlich die Behandlung des Vorhofflimmerns weiter zu optimieren.
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C. Kowalewski declares that he has no competing interests.
For this article no studies with human participants or animals were performed by any of the authors. All studies performed were in accordance with the ethical standards indicated in each case.
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Kowalewski, C. Map** atrial fibrillation. Herz 46, 305–311 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-021-05045-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00059-021-05045-y