Mapping atrial fibrillation (original) (raw)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, contributing significantly to health care costs and the incidence of stroke, especially in the elderly. The article discusses an investigation by Okuyama et al. addressing the role of physiological and structural changes in the pulmonary veins and the vein of Marshall in sustaining AF, using a canine model. It highlights the necessity for a reliable animal model for AF studies, the shortcomings of current treatments, particularly the complexities surrounding pulmonary vein isolation, and emphasizes the need for further technological advancements in catheter ablation and alternative treatments.