Non-ion channel blockers as anti-arrhythmic drugs (reversal of structural remodeling)

Approximately 90% of patients with atrial fibrillation have concomitant cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, heart failure or valve disease. These diseases have been found to substantially affect the structure of atria[ tissue, and thereby the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. At the molecular level, angiotensin II, oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory mediators are of particular importance in the induction of pro-arrhthymic atrial dilation, myocardial hypertrophy and interstitial atrial fibrosis. Elucidating the signalling pathways responsible for the process of structural atrial remodeling has helped to define novel non-ion channel drug targets for atrial fibrillation.