The role of inflammation in heart rhythm and conduction disturbances

This article reviews pathogenic mechanisms that underlie idiopathic cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances. It focuses on the role of the various components of the inflammatory response of the myocardium, particularly on the autoimmune factors and fibrosis. Identification of potentially reversible autoimmune or inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of cardiac conduction disturbances may be useful in predicting the development of the disease, serve as a rationale for more careful monitoring of these patients, and may become a target for new therapeutic approaches.