Diastolic Dysfunction and Risk of Atrial Fibrillation

American Heart Association: 11/6/12

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, and its prevalence in the population is increasing.¹ Diastolic dysfunction shares many common risk factors with AF, including age, hypertension,^2–5 obesity,^6,7 and diabetes.^8,9 Like AF, diastolic dysfunction increases with age,¹⁰ and patients given the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction are more likely to have AF at the time.¹¹ Diastolic dysfunction has significant pathological effects on atrial structure and function, many of which are proarrhythmic. However, much remains to be learned about the specific mechanisms through which diastolic dysfunction ultimately promotes AF.

Previous reviews have examined the broad association of diastolic dysfunction and AF.¹² In this review, we attempt to examine this association on a mechanistic level. We begin with a basic review of the physiology of diastolic function, with particular attention to the complex interaction between the atrium and the ventricle during diastole.  Read more