What do we currently know about metabolic syndrome and atrial fibrillation?

Metabolic syndrome represents a cluster of atherogenic risk factors including hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia. Considering that all of these risk factors could influence the development of atrial fibrillation, an association between atrial fibrillation and the metabolic syndrome has been suggested. Additionally, oxidative stress and inflammation have been involved in the pathogenesis of both metabolic syndrome and atrial fibrillation. The mechanisms that relate metabolic syndrome to the increased risk of atrial fibrillation occurrence are not completely understood. Metabolic syndrome and atrial fibrillation are associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Because atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, and along with the prevalence of metabolic syndrome constantly increasing, it would be very important to determine the relationship between these 2 entities, especially due to the fact that the risk factors of metabolic syndrome are mainly correctable. This review focused on the available evidence supporting the association between metabolic syndrome components and metabolic syndrome as a clinical entity with atrial fibrillation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.