Search resultsEffects of alcohol on atrial fibrillation: Myths and truths
Title
Effects of alcohol on atrial fibrillation: Myths and truths
Publication type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2009
Authors
Journal
Therapeutic Advances in Cardiovascular Disease
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pagination
53 - 63
Date published
2009
ISBN
17539447 (ISSN)
Keywords
Action Potentials, alcohol, alcohol abuse, alcohol blood level, alcohol consumption, Alcohol Drinking, alcohol intoxication, alcohol metabolism, Alcohol use, alcoholic cardiomyopathy, Alcoholism, Animals, Arrhythmias, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Atrial Fibrillation, disease association, dose response, Electrocardiography, Electrophysiology, Ethanol, heart atrium arrhythmia, heart atrium fibrillation, Heart Conduction System, heart ejection fraction, heart electrophysiology, heart protection, History, Ancient, Holidays, human, Humans, incidence, nonhuman, priority journal, review, risk assessment, Risk Factors, risk reduction, Syndrome
Abstract
Alcohol is the most consumed drug worldwide. Both acute and chronic alcohol use have been associated with cardiac arrhythmias, in particular atrial fibrillation, or so-called 'holiday heart syndrome'. Epidemiological, clinical and experimental studies have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms involved in this association. However, because most of these studies have shown conflicting results, the connection between ethanol and atrial arrhythmias remains controversial. Historical, epidemiological and pharmacological aspects of alcohol, as well as recent concepts on atrial fibrillation are reviewed. We then examine the literature and provide a critical point of view on the still elusive association between alcohol and atrial fibrillation.