Autoantibodies and cardiac arrhythmias.

Autoimmune diseases are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, afflicting about 5% of the US population. They encompass a wide range of disorders that affect all organs of the human body and have a predilection for women. In the past, autoimmune pathogenesis was not thought to be a major mechanism for cardiovascular disorders, and potential relationships remain understudied. However, accumulating evidence suggests that a number of vascular and cardiac conditions are autoimmune mediated. Recent studies indicate that autoantibodies play an important role in the development of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, modulation of autonomic influences on heart rate and rhythm, conduction system abnormalities, and ventricular arrhythmias. This article will review the current evidence for the role of autoantibodies in the development of cardiac arrhythmias.