Table 1.

Genetics of atrial fibrillation.

	Gene/Locus	Mechanism of action	Study design/Inheritance
Sodium channels	SCNA5 [8–17]	Cellular hyperexcitability (gain-of-function) as well as prolongation of the atrial action potential duration (loss-of-function)	Candidate gene/Familial and sporadic
	SCN1B/SCN2B [18]	Decreased peak sodium current amplitude	Candidate gene/Sporadic
Potassium channels	KCNQ1 [19–22]	Enhanced atrial action potential repolarization	Linkage/Familial
	KCNE2 [23]	Enhanced atrial action potential repolarization	Candidate gene/Familial
	KCNJ2 [24]	Enhanced atrial action potential repolarization	Candidate gene/Familial
	KCNE5 [25]	Enhanced atrial action potential repolarization	Candidate gene/Familial and sporadic
	KCNA5 [26–28]	Delayed atrial action potential repolarization	Candidate gene/Familial and sporadic
Other	NPPA [29]	Shortening of the atrial action potential duration	Linkage/Familial
	GJA5 [30–32]	Dispersion of conduction velocity	Candidate gene/Sporadic
	10q22 [33]	Unknown	Linkage/Familial
	6q14–16 [34]	Unknown	Linkage/Familial
	5p15 [35]	Unknown	Linkage/Familial
	4q25 (PITX2) [36, 37]	Unknown	Genome wide association/Sporadic
	16q22 (ZFHX3) [38]	Unknown	Genome wide association/Sporadic
	1q21 (KCNN3) [39]	Unknown	Genome wide association/Sporadic