New approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent arrhythmia that exhibits an increased incidence with advancing age. AF has emerged as a critical public health concern due to its potential to precipitate cerebral infarction and heart failure. Therefore, it is imperative to implement preventive strategies for individuals at risk of AF, enable earlier diagnoses, and ensure reliable therapeutic interventions. Despite rapid advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic tools for AF, these remain insufficient. Recent studies have focused on developing diagnostic and therapeutic methodologies for AF, particularly regarding chronic inflammation. Clinical investigations have explored biomarkers of AF associated with various pathologies, including chronic inflammation, such as circulating pentraxin 3, microRNA, and fragmented cell-free DNA. Several studies have examined novel indicators that integrate conventional risk factors or the use of artificial intelligence to predict the onset of AF. We explore emerging therapeutic strategies for AF, focusing on the potential to inhibit its onset and progression by targeting factor Xa - protease-activated receptor-2 signaling. Additionally, we review the treatment of AF complicated by heart failure through catheter ablation, including the innovative technique of pulse field ablation. This review focuses on the advancement of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for AF through a multifaceted approach. J. Med. Invest. 73 : 1-11, February, 2026