Role of tumor necrosis factor-α in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrosis and development of an arrhythmogenic substrate.

Background: Although tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels are increased in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), its role in the pathogenesis of AF is unclear. We investigated whether direct delivery of TNF-α could induce atrial fibrosis.

Methods And Results: TNF-α (4 μg/kg) was injected into the tail vein of 20 male Swiss albino mice (TNF group) and saline into 20 control mice (CON group).