Adhesion Molecules in Atrial Fibrillation - Adhesion Molecules - page 424

Definition of Terms
Atrial i brillation (AF): Abnormal and arrhythmic heart rhythm due to chaotic propagation
of disorganized electrical impulses and electrical wavefronts throughout both atria. AF
can occur intermittently, at intervals lasting from seconds to weeks ('paroxysmal'), or be
continuous ('persistent').
Electrical remodeling: Changes in electrical properties of cells (progressive shortening of the
atrial action potential) due to a state of disease, in this case AF.
Nonvalvular atrial i brillation: AF that is not associated with a diseased heart valve ('lone'
AF).
Oxidative stress: Accumulation of intracellular ROS leading to membrane damage,
inl ammation, damage or alteration of cell genes or (programmed) cell death
('apoptosis').
Reactive oxygen species (ROS): Ions or very small molecules that include oxygen ions, free
radicals, and peroxides, both inorganic and organic. ROS are chemically highly reactive
due to unpaired valence shell electrons.
Sinus rhythm (SR): Physiological heart rhythm that is generated in the 'sinus node' located
in the right atrium (right upper heart chamber). Heart beats occur in regular intervals
with a heart rate depending on physical activity.
Stroke: Rapidly developing and permanent loss of brain function(s) due to disturbance in
the blood supply either by occlusion of brain arteries or hemorrhage with consecutive
brain tissue compression.
Structural remodeling: Morphological and functional changes of cells and intercellular
matrix due to a state of disease, in this case AF.
Tachyarrhythmia: Synonym for AF.
h romboembolic stroke: Stroke caused by a blood clot (thrombus) that was generated
elsewhere and wandered with the bloodstream (embolized), i nally occluding a brain
artery.
Valvular atrial i brillation: AF that is associated with a diseased heart valve.
References
Ausma, J. and M. Wijf els, F. h one, L. Wouters, M. Allessie, and M. Borgers. 1997. Structural
changes of atrial myocardium due to sustained atrial i brillation in the goat. Circulation
96: 3157-3163.
Bukowska, A. and L. Schild, G. Keilhof , D. Hirte, M. Neumann, A. Gardemann, K.H.
Neumann, F.W. Rohl, C. Huth, A. Goette, and U. Lendeckel. 2008. Mitochondrial
dysfunction and redox signaling in atrial tachyarrhythmia. Exp. Biol. Med. (Maywood)
233: 558-574.
Cai, H. and Z. Li, A. Goette, F. Mera, C. Honeycutt, K. Feterik, J.N. Wilcox, S.C. Dudley,
Jr., D.G. Harrison, and J.J. Langberg. 2002. Downregulation of endocardial nitric
oxide synthase expression and nitric oxide production in atrial i brillation: potential
mechanisms for atrial thrombosis and stroke. Circulation 106: 2854-2858.