NLRP3 and atrial fibrillation: NLRP3 activation in cardiomyocytes has been shown in pre-clinical models to trigger spontaneous AF, and is upregulated in the atrial cardiomyocytes of patients with post-operative AF, implying that increased activation of this signaling pathway acutely and during convalescence may be an important contributing factor to paroxysmal AF and its consequences (120, 200).