[Atrial fibrillation. I. Etiology and pathogenesis].

Etiology and pathomechanisms of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are complicated and the knowledge about them still remains incomplete. This may be the reason why currently applied methods of prevention as well as treatment remain unsatisfied. A number of clinical situations were identified that may conduce to occurrence of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter and also lead to chronic forms of arrhythmia. Oxidative stress, enlargement/ extension of atrium, cardiomyocytes overloaded by calcium ions, microRNA, inflammative factors and miofibroblasts’ activation seem to be most engaged in process leading to atrial remodelling. Complete recognition of relationships between individual mechanisms may possibly enable to form new goals for prevention and therapy of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter which may lead to better health and better quality of life in patients affected with the discussed heart arrhythmia. The paper presents the revision of current knowledge concerning etiology and pathophysiology of the above arrhythmia as well as explains relationships and interactions among particular mechanisms.