Histological substrate of human atrial fibrillation.

Histologic and ultrastructural examination of atrial tissue regarding the main entities responsible of human atrial fibrillation, is reported. The pathologic changes deriving from various disorders, like degenerative, inflammatory, ischemic diseases as well as from cardiac aging and hormonal imbalance are analysed. Structural changes associated with lone atrial fibrillation and investigated by atrial biopsy are also described, as being able to provide useful information on the disease's etiology, prognosis and treatment.