Arriving on time: decoding macrophage involvement in atrial fibrillation.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults, with a rising incidence and prevalence [1] . It is associated with increased risks of stroke, heart failure, and death. The risk of AF is associated with various factors, including aging, structural heart disease, obesity, hypertension, inflammation, and others. Rhythm control and rate control are the primary strategies for managing AF in clinical practice. While the focus of rate control is to slow down the heart rate without necessarily converting the abnormal rhythm to normal sinus rhythm, the more desirable rhythm control is to restore and maintain the normal sinus rhythm by utilizing cardioversion, antiarrhythmic drugs, or catheter ablation. The catheter-based ablation techniques have significantly progressed over the past several decades and generally yield satisfactory immediate results, yet the recurrence of AF remains a persistent challenge. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to AF is crucial for developing novel therapeutic strategies.