**9. Conclusion**

A substantial body of evidence indicates that oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of atrial remodeling. However, the molecular pathways of this pathologic process are complex and depend on different underlying substrates and concomitant diseases. Antioxidant therapy seems to be a promising intervention strategy in the prevention of AF development and perpetuation, at least in the case of POAF. It should be acknowledged that antioxidant substances may be ineffective in many instances since they act at an advanced stage of the oxidative damage cascade. On the other hand, interventions that target early steps of ROS formation seem to be a more promising strategy.
