A new study in Circulation suggests that Porphyromonas gingivalis, a common bacteria involved in gum disease, may contribute to atrial fibrillation (AF) by traveling from the mouth to the heart and promoting tissue scarring.
Researchers studied mice that were infected with P gingivalis by placing the bacteria in their molar teeth. They later found the bacteria in the left atrium of the heart using imaging and DNA detection methods. These mice had more scarring in their heart tissue (22 percent vs 16 percent in control mice) and were more likely to develop AF when tested (30 percent vs 5 percent). The infected mice also showed increased levels of galectin 3 and TGF-β1, two markers linked to fibrosis.
Tissue samples were also studied from the left atrial appendage of 68 patients with AF. Before surgery, the patients had dental exams to measure gum disease severity using two standard tools: periodontal epithelial surface area and periodontal inflamed surface area. The researchers found that higher levels of P gingivalis DNA in the heart tissue were linked to more severe gum disease and more atrial fibrosis.
The findings point to a possible pathway where P gingivalis enters the bloodstream through inflamed gums and reaches the heart, where it may contribute to tissue changes that make AF more likely.
Overall, this study highlights a possible role for oral health in heart rhythm disorders. While the research does not prove that gum disease causes AF, it raises the possibility that managing oral infections could play a part in reducing heart risks. Further studies are needed to explore whether treating periodontitis can help prevent or manage AF.
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