Atrial Fibrillation: From Pathogenesis to Treatment Strategies

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 541

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
1. Department of Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Eugenideio Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: atrial fibrillation; electrophysiology; cardiology; biomedical engineering; medical technology; digital medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Interests: cardiology; cardiovascular medicine; biomechanics biomedical engineering; medical technology; digital medicine
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Interventional Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Eugenideio Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
Interests: atrial fibrillation; electrophysiology; cardiology; biomedical engineering; medical technology; digital medicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. It increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and hospitalizations and is marked by frequent recurrence and progression. Despite advances in pharmacological and interventional therapies, the complex and multifactorial nature of AF—encompassing structural, electrical, and inflammatory pathways—continues to pose significant clinical challenges.

This Special Issue of Biomedicines invites original research and reviews focused on the mechanisms and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). We welcome studies exploring atrial remodeling, inflammation, fibrosis, ion channel dysfunction, and electrical instability, as well as predictors of progression and recurrence. Research spanning basic, translational, and clinical domains is encouraged.

Of particular interest are investigations that shed light on the underlying pathogenesis of AF, from molecular and cellular pathways to tissue-level and organ-level remodeling. Contributions assessing emerging pharmacologic agents, novel antiarrhythmic approaches, and advanced interventional strategies—such as catheter ablation and hybrid therapies—are highly valued.

By integrating multidisciplinary insights, this issue aims to advance our understanding of atrial fibrillation (AF) pathophysiology and support the development of more effective, durable, and personalized treatment approaches.

We look forward to your contributions to this focused and timely issue.

Dr. Dimitrios A. Vrachatis
Prof. Dr. Theodore G. Papaioannou
Dr. Ioannis Anagnostopoulos
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • atrial fibrillation
  • arrhythmia
  • ablation
  • PFA
  • radiofrequency
  • cryoablation
  • pathophysiology
  • pathophysiology
  • molecular mechanisms

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

18 pages, 786 KB  
Review
Hormonal Atrial Fibrillation: Pathophysiological Mechanisms That Trigger and Sustain the Arrhythmic Circuits
by Letizia Rosa Romano, Aldo Celeste and Antonio Curcio
Biomedicines 2025, 13(10), 2466; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13102466 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 330
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the supraventricular tachy-arrhythmia most commonly detected in the general population, with significant sex-related differences in epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights the role of sex hormones—particularly estrogen and testosterone—in modulating left atrial electrophysiologic substrate, structural remodeling, inflammation, [...] Read more.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the supraventricular tachy-arrhythmia most commonly detected in the general population, with significant sex-related differences in epidemiology, pathophysiology, and treatment outcomes. Emerging evidence highlights the role of sex hormones—particularly estrogen and testosterone—in modulating left atrial electrophysiologic substrate, structural remodeling, inflammation, and thromboembolic risk. Hormonal fluctuations across different lifespan influence AF onset, progression, and therapeutic response, yet current management approaches largely overlook such determinants. This narrative review integrates data from basic, translational, and clinical research to examine hormonal effects on atrial substrate, disease progression, and differential results of treatments, including stroke prevention, pharmacological options, and transcatheter ablation. It also explores the potential of hormone-targeted interventions, antifibrotic therapies, and precision strategies tailored to hormonal status. Addressing these mechanisms could optimize patient-specific management, improve outcomes and guide future clinical practice recommendations. Advancing toward sex-specific, hormone-informed AF care requires further mechanistic studies, hormonal profiling, and sex-stratified clinical trials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Atrial Fibrillation: From Pathogenesis to Treatment Strategies)
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