Mouse models of spontaneous atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in adults, with a prevalence increasing with age. Current clinical management of AF is focused on tertiary prevention (i.e., treating the symptoms and sequelae) rather than addressing the underlying molecular pathophysiology. Robust animal models of AF, particularly those that do not require supraphysiologic stimuli to induce AF (i.e., showing spontaneous AF), enable studies that can uncover the underlying mechanisms of AF. Several mouse models of AF have been described to exhibit spontaneous AF, but pathophysiologic drivers of AF differ among models. Here, we describe relevant AF mechanisms and provide an overview of large and small animal models of AF. We then provide an in-depth review of the spontaneous mouse models of AF, highlighting the relevant AF mechanisms for each model.