Advances in Atrial Fibrillation: Mechanisms, Diagnosis, and Emerging Therapies
A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Cardiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 1 September 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: atrial fibrillation; heart failure; cardiac arrhythmias
Interests: cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation; heart failure; arrhythmia; sudden cardiac death; catheter ablation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents the most prevalent sustained cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice, affecting millions worldwide and conferring a five-fold increased risk of ischemic stroke. Despite substantial progress in understanding its pathophysiology, AF continues to pose major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Several studies have demonstrated that AF can be detected in up to 30% of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) during long-term follow-up, underscoring its critical but often elusive role in cerebrovascular disease.
Emerging evidence also suggests that AF is not always the direct cause of stroke but may serve as a marker of underlying atrial pathology. The concept of atrial cardiomyopathy, defined by structural, electrical, and functional abnormalities of the atrial myocardium, has gained prominence as a potential precursor to AF and stroke. Structural remodeling, altered electrophysiological properties, and delayed atrial conduction have been identified as early hallmarks of this condition, offering novel insights into preclinical disease states. Understanding the interplay between atrial remodeling and thromboembolic risk may enable the earlier identification of high-risk patients and the development of targeted preventive strategies.
Our aim in launching this Special Issue is to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of AF. By integrating insights from clinical, translational, and basic research, we aim to bridge the gap between pathophysiological understanding and practical management. Topics of interest include novel biomarkers of atrial cardiomyopathy, innovative diagnostic tools such as wearable and implantable monitoring devices, and emerging therapeutic strategies that extend beyond traditional rate and rhythm control approaches.
Cutting-edge research contributions are encouraged, particularly studies that explore the molecular mechanisms underlying atrial remodeling, the role of inflammation and fibrosis in AF progression, and the application of artificial intelligence in arrhythmia detection and risk stratification.
We invite original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and expert perspectives that advance the understanding of AF from its subclinical manifestations to advanced disease stages. By highlighting novel diagnostic modalities, therapeutic innovations, and preventive strategies, this Special Issue will foster multidisciplinary collaboration and guide the next generation of precision medicine approaches in atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Angelica Cersosimo
Dr. Vincenzo Mirco La Fazia
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- cardiac arrhythmias
- atrial fibrillation
- heart failure
- arrhythmia
- sudden cardiac death
- catheter ablation
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