Atrioventricular Node Dysfunction in Heart Failure: New Horizons from Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Perspectives.

Abstract

Heart failure (HF) is characterized by adverse myocardial remodeling involving both the contractile cardiomyocytes and the conduction tissue. HF is often associated with atrioventricular (AV) node dysfunction, which frequently leads to conduction delays and subsequent dyssynchrony ultimately related to adverse clinical outcomes. Despite its clinical relevance, AV node pathology in HF remains poorly explored. This review aims to investigate the pathophysiology underlying AV node dysfunction and the clinical implications for patients with HF, and to provide an overview of current therapeutic approaches, including an analysis of potential future treatments.