Familial atrial fibrillation
Last updated 18 Aug 2020
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Familial atrial fibrillation is an inherited abnormality of the heart's normal rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is characterised by episodes of uncoordinated electrical activity (fibrillation) in the heart's upper chambers (the atria), which cause a fast and irregular heartbeat. If untreated, this abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) can lead to dizziness, chest pain, a sensation of fluttering or pounding in the chest (palpitations), shortness of breath, or fainting (syncope). Atrial fibrillation also increases the risk of stroke and sudden death. Complications of atrial fibrillation can occur at any age, although some people with this heart condition never experience any health problems associated with the disorder.
Description
Familial atrial fibrillation is an inherited abnormality of the heart's normal rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is characterised by episodes of uncoordinated electrical activity (fibrillation) in the heart's upper chambers (the atria), which cause a fast and irregular heartbeat. If untreated, this abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) can lead to dizziness, chest pain, a sensation of fluttering or pounding in the chest (palpitations), shortness of breath, or fainting (syncope). Atrial fibrillation also increases the risk of stroke and sudden death. Complications of atrial fibrillation can occur at any age, although some people with this heart condition never experience any health problems associated with the disorder.
Inheritance patterns
The source lists the following possible inheritance patterns: Autosomal dominant. More than one pattern can apply in different cases.
Related genes
Other names
Atrial fibrillation, familial
Auricular fibrillation
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Further reading and references
- Familial atrial fibrillation; MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- Chen YH, Xu SJ, Bendahhou S, Wang XL, Wang Y, Xu WY, Jin HW, Sun H, Su XY, Zhuang QN, Yang YQ, Li YB, Liu Y, Xu HJ, Li XF, Ma N, Mou CP, Chen Z, Barhanin J, Huang W. KCNQ1 gain-of-function mutation in familial atrial fibrillation. Science. 2003 Jan 10;299(5604):251-4. doi: 10.1126/science.1077771.
- Fatkin D, Santiago CF, Huttner IG, Lubitz SA, Ellinor PT. Genetics of Atrial Fibrillation: State of the Art in 2017. Heart Lung Circ. 2017 Sep;26(9):894-901. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2017.04.008. Epub 2017 May 11.
- Gutierrez A, Chung MK. Genomics of Atrial Fibrillation. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2016 Jun;18(6):55. doi: 10.1007/s11886-016-0735-8.
- Hucker WJ, Saini H, Lubitz SA, Ellinor PT. Atrial Fibrillation Genetics: Is There a Practical Clinical Value Now or in the Future? Can J Cardiol. 2016 Nov;32(11):1300-1305. doi: 10.1016/j.cjca.2016.02.032. Epub 2016 Feb 12.
- Xiao J, Liang D, Chen YH. The genetics of atrial fibrillation: from the bench to the bedside. Annu Rev Genomics Hum Genet. 2011;12:73-96. doi: 10.1146/annurev-genom-082410-101515.
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