Experimental Evidence Of The Role Of Renal Sympathetic Denervation For Treating Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In addition to mechanisms such as atrial stretch and atrial remodeling, also the activity of the autonomic nervous system has been suggested to contribute to the progression from paroxysmal to persistent AF. Catheter-based renal denervation (RDN) was introduced as a minimally invasive approach to reduce renal and whole body sympathetic activation which may result in atrial antiarrhythmic effects under some pathophysiological conditions. This review focuses on the potential effects of RDN on different arrhythmogenic mechanisms in the atrium and discusses potential anti-remodeling effects in hypertension, heart failure, and sleep apnea.