Jurnal Respirologi Indonesia
Vol 46 No 3 (2026)

Supraventricular Arrhythmias in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: Clinical Links and Implications

I Wayan Pande Adhyaksa (Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Persahabatan Hospital National Respiratory Center, Jakarta)
Fanny Fachrucha (Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Persahabatan Hospital National Respiratory Center, Jakarta)
Sunu Budhi Raharjo (Department of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Harapan Kita Hospital National Cardiology Center, Jakarta)
Henda Ageng Rasena (Division of Bioinformatics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Niigata City)
Kevin Aristyo (Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Jul 2026

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and supraventricular arrhythmias (SVAs) share a profound pathophysiological connection beyond incidental comorbidity. This review synthesizes current evidence demonstrating how progressive pulmonary fibrosis creates an arrhythmogenic cardiac substrate through three interdependent pathways. Pulmonary hypertension imposes chronic pressure overload on the right heart, leading to right atrial dilation, interstitial fibrosis, gap junction dysfunction, and electrical remodeling, creating conditions for re-entrant circuits. Chronic hypoxemia induces intracellular calcium overload, after-depolarizations, and sympathetic overactivity, providing functional arrhythmogenic triggers independent of structural remodeling. These mechanisms collectively transform the atrial myocardium into a vulnerable environment where re-entrant circuits and triggered activity persist. The resulting SVAs, particularly atrial fibrillation and flutter, are strongly associated with IPF's cardiopulmonary pathophysiology. This integrated perspective challenges clinicians to view IPF not as an isolated lung disease but as a systemic syndrome with significant cardiac implications. However, current evidence is largely observational, and further prospective studies are needed to establish screening and management guidelines.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jri

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology

Description

Jurnal Respirologi Indonesia (JRI) is an online and printed scientific publication of the Indonesian Society of Respirology (ISR). The journal is published thrice-monthly within a year (January, April, July and October). The journal is focused to present original article, article review, and case ...