Obesity as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation

Authors: Bogdanov A.R., Romanova T.A.

Company: 1 Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
2 Russian State Social University, Moscow, Russian Federation
3 City Clinical Hospital #13, Moscow, Russian Federation

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Type:  Reviews


DOI: https://doi.org/10.24022/1997-3187-2022-16-3-278-288

For citation: Bogdanov A.R., Romanova T.A. Obesity as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Creative Cardiology. 2022; 16 (3): 278–88 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.24022/1997-3187-2022-16-3-278-288

Received / Accepted:  25.07.2022 / 02.09.2022

Keywords: atrial fibrillation overweight obesity diet therapy myocardial fibrosis myocardial apoptosis heart remodeling lipotoxicity insulin resistance obstructive sleep apnea

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Abstract

The purpose of writing this literature review is to summarize current scientific data on the relationship, mechanisms of initiation, development and progression of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with obesity. The article provides a scientific literature review of the relationship between obesity and AF. In particular, it has been shown that obesity is an independent factor in the development and progression of AF, being both a trigger and a substrate for atrial electrical instability. The pathogenetic factors of the complex effect of obesity on the electrical function of the atria are considered in detail, which are divided into direct factors associated with the direct influence of adipose tissue, and indirect factors developing as a result of the influence of diseases comorbid with obesity. The role of neurohumoral and hemodynamic factors, ventricular and atrial remodeling, apoptosis and myocardial fibrosis, local and systemic lipotoxicity, inflammation, and tissue hypoxia are discussed. The contribution of comorbid diseases and conditions – arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary atherosclerosis and obstructive sleep apnea is described. The authors conclude that obesity prevention is a powerful tool for the prevention of supraventricular arrhythmias, including AF, and diet therapy aimed at reducing body weight may have the potential of an independent therapeutic approach to reduce the incidence of AF recurrence, reduce drug load and optimize conditions for electrophysiological procedures. In preparing the article, the following electronic resources were used: PubMed/MEDLINE portal, “Scientific Electronic Library eLIBRARY.RU”

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About Authors

  • Alfred R. Bogdanov, Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of Department, Professor of the Department of Faculty Therapy, Faculty of Pediatrics, Pirogov RNRMU, Advisor to the Rector of the RSSU, Head of Department of Cardiology for Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction, CCH # 13; ORCID
  • Tat’yana A. Romanova, Cardiologist; ORCID

Chief Editor

Leo A. Bockeria, MD, PhD, DSc, Professor, Academician of Russian Academy of Sciences, President of Bakoulev National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery