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01-01-2008 | REVIEW

Autoantibody-mediated cardiac arrhythmias: mechanisms and clinical implications

Authors: Pietro Enea Lazzerini, MD, Pier Leopoldo Capecchi, Francesca Guideri, Maurizio Acampa, Enrico Selvi, Stefania Bisogno, Mauro Galeazzi, Franco Laghi-Pasini

Published in: Basic Research in Cardiology | Issue 1/2008

Abstract

Cardiac arrhythmias, including conduction defects and tach- yarrhythmias, represent an important source of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Among the different pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the arrhythmogenesis, an inappropriate activation of the immune system represents a field of recent increasing interest. In fact, a large amount of studies suggest that specific autoantibody may be significantly involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac arrhythmias not only in the course of systemic autoimmune disease, but also in a number of rhythm disorders currently classified as “idiopathic.” Although the strongest evidence concerns the relationship between anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and the development of congenital heart block in foetus and newborn, other specific autoantibodies demonstrated the aptitude to affect directly the myocardial tissue, thus producing interference in its bioelectric activity thereby leading to rhythm disorders, also life-threatening. The identification of an immunological autoantibody-mediated mechanism opens new perspectives in the treatment and prevention of cardiac arrhythmias in such patients, including the use of immunosuppressive agents and/or the removal of autoantibodies by immuno-adsorption technique.

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Title: Autoantibody-mediated cardiac arrhythmias: mechanisms and clinical implications
Authors: Pietro Enea Lazzerini, MD
Pier Leopoldo Capecchi
Francesca Guideri
Maurizio Acampa
Enrico Selvi
Stefania Bisogno
Mauro Galeazzi
Franco Laghi-Pasini
Publication date: 01-01-2008
Publisher: D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in: Basic Research in Cardiology / Issue 1/2008
Print ISSN: 0300-8428
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1803
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00395-007-0686-8

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