Atrial fibrillation as manifestation and consequence of underlying cardiomyopathies: from common conditions to genetic diseases.

While atrial fibrillation is common comorbidity in patients with cardiomyopathy and heart failure, diagnosis and management often focuses on tackling rate and rhythm control rather than elucidating pathogenic mechanisms related to underlying myocardial substrates. This review summarizes our current understanding of the natural history of cardiomyopathies presenting with atrial fibrillation, and the importance of managing underlying cardiomyopathic condition as diagnostic and treatment strategy for atrial fibrillation.