CASP3 and atrial fibrillation: Evidence of cellular apoptosis was found in animal and human hearts with AF, including abnormal myocytes, a high degree of DNA breakage, strong caspase‐3 (CASP‐3) expression, and decreased anti‐apoptotic BCL‐2 proteins.16 The possible roles of apoptosis and cell activation in MP generation have been described in AF, possibly through low shear stress, hypoxia, stretch, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the atrium, the combination of which promotes cell apoptosis and the release of MPs.2