An explanation of the mechanism of attacks of atrial fibrillation in individuals without detectable heart disease

The authors investigated 10 men aged 30 to 60 years who developed repeatedly attacks of atrial fibrillation . In ali patients previous alcolici consumption was recorded in thè case-history. In none of thè patients organic heart disease was detected. In previous experiments thè authors induced by alcohol administration to rats in thè tracheal cells and paratracheal myelinated nerves an increased occurrence of lamellar bodies which is consistent with data in thè literature which confirmed thè presence of lamellar bodies in thè human heart muscle in idiopathic cardiomyopathy. The authors assume therefore that alcohol induced increased presence of lamellar bodies in thè myocardium which are formed during dystrophic changes, in particular from mitochondria, can lead due to reduced energy release to impaired conduction of excitation in thè myocardium. This condition may be enhanced also by impaired calcium metabolism in alcoholic dystrophy. Key words: Attack of atrial fibrillation - Alcohol - Mitochondrial impairment - Lamellar bodies.