Progress in the field of clinical and experimental electrophysiology helps us to elucidate connections between clinical problems and genetic cellular abnormalities. So far four genes have been discovered to be responsible for inherited forms of atrial fibrillation. Several polymorphisms in genes encoding angiotensinogen, connexin 40 and subunits of potassium channels (KCNE1) have been disclosed to correlate with this disease. On the other hand genetic background of preexcitation, atrio-ventricular nodal reentry tachycardia and ventricular tachycardias need further studies. More research is also needed to assess the efficacy of pharmacogenetic treatment methods for atrial fibrillation.