Atrial remodeling are changes in the atrium in response to underlying stressors.
Atrial remodeling consists of both of the following:
(1) cause: electrical, mechanical, or metabolic stressor(s)
(2) effect: results in persistent change in atrial size, function, or electrophysiological properties
Stressors may include:
(1) hypertension
(2) valvular disease
(3) atrial fibrillation
(4) other causes of pressure or volume overload
(5) myocarditis
(6) chemotherapy or adverse drug effects
(7) irradiation
(8) any other disease affecting the atrium
Persistent changes:
(1) atrial enlargement
(2) wall hypertrophy
(3) change in conduction such block or tachyarrhythmia
(4) fibrosis
The goal of some therapies is to reduce or alter the progression of atrial remodeling in response to illness. This is referred to as reverse remodeling once change has occurred, indicating a reversible process.
