February 15, 2023JACC Basic to Translational Science89 citationsOpen Access
Fir(e)ing the Rhythm
Structured PICO
P
Population
Patients with or at risk for arrhythmias, specifically atrial fibrillation, acquired long-QT syndrome, and ventricular arrhythmias
Inflammatory activation is a significant nonconventional risk factor for arrhythmias, suggesting a need to incorporate inflammatory cytokine management into clinical arrhythmia care.
Abstract
Inflammatory activation is increasingly recognized as a nonconventional risk factor for arrhythmias, and experimental studies provided robust evidence that this association is mediated by direct arrhythmogenic effects of proinflammatory cytokines on cardiac cells. Additionally, inflammatory cytokines can favor arrhythmias indirectly through multiple systemic effects. Accumulating data confirm the clinical relevance of these mechanisms; the largest evidence being available for atrial fibrillation, acquired long-QT syndrome, and ventricular arrhythmias. However, clinical management of arrhythmias largely neglects inflammatory cytokines. This review integrates basic science and clinical research to present an updated overview of the topic and provides future directions for patient's management.