犬急性心房颤动电重构现象的实验研究

目的 观察短阵心房颤动(房颤)的电重构现象及其恢复过程，探讨电重构与房颤再发及维持的关系。方法 15只健康成年犬于左、右心房外膜7个部位缝合双极记录电极，自心耳给予600次／min起搏诱发2h房颤，其中5只犬每间隔10min测量左、右心耳的心房有效不应期(AERP)，观察其恢复过程；另10只犬在房颤前后分别测量在起搏周长350ms、250ms、200ms时7个部位的AERP并记录电生理检查时房颤的诱发率及其持续时间。结果 2h房颤后心房各点AERP显著缩短，对心率适应不良，AERP离散度增高，继发性房颤诱发率增高、持续时间延长。AERP缩短可持续30min，60-80min后恢复。左心耳AERP恢复过程慢于右心耳。可诱发房颤的部位AERP更短，与继发性房颤的平均持续时间呈显著性负相关。可诱发房颤的心房其AERP离散度明显增高，但与继发性房颤的持续时间无关。AERP心率适应不良部位继发性房颤的诱发率高于生理性AERP心率适应性部位。低位右心房及左心耳部位的期前兴奋易于诱发房颤。结论 2h诱发的房颤足以使健康心房发生类似持续性房颤的电重构，电重构使房颤易于再发。AERP离散度与房颤的诱发有关，AERP缩短与房颤的持续性有关，房性早搏的发生部位与房颤的易患性有关。     

左旋卡尼汀对犬心房急性缺血诱发电生理变化的影响

目的观察左旋卡尼汀(L-CN)对犬心房急性缺血时心房肌电生理改变及心房颤动(房颤)诱发率的影响。方法2003～2005年将解放军总医院的12只健康杂种犬随机分为L-CN用药组和生理盐水对照组。结扎右冠状动脉心房分支,造成心房肌局部缺血。观察各组缺血前后右心房不同部位的有效不应期(AERP)、右心房内传导速度(CV)的变化,计算右心房内心房激动波波长(WL)和房颤的诱发率并行心房肌病理学检查。结果(1)结扎右冠脉后盐水组缺血区心肌AERP均明显缩短;L-CN组右冠脉结扎后AERP无显著缩短。(2)冠脉结扎前后,两组右心房内CV均无明显改变。(3)结扎冠脉后,盐水组右心房内WL明显缩短;L-CN组的WL无显著变化。(4)盐水组结扎右冠脉后在不同时间段测量时均诱发房颤,L-CN组结扎冠脉后均未诱发房颤。(5)盐水组可见不同程度的心肌缺血,以冠脉结扎处近端为显著;L-CN组不同部位心肌均未见缺血变化。结论L-CN能够有效防止心肌缺血诱发的电生理变化,从而有效减少房颤的发作。     

普罗帕酮和Ⅲ类新药Ambasilide对犬心房颤动的作用和电生理机制比较研究

目的应用心外膜标测技术观察Ⅲ类新药Ambasilide对迷走性持续心房颤动(房颤)的影响,并与普罗帕酮比较,研究其电生理作用机制。方法建立迷走神经性持续房颤模型,13只犬给予普罗帕酮(2mg/kg),另13只犬给予Ambasilide(2mg/kg),观察两药对房颤的终止情况,同时在用药前后进行心房电活动实时心外膜标测及心房有效不应期的测量。结果普罗帕酮2mg/kg负荷量可转复房颤11/13(84.6％),Ambasilide2mg/kg负荷量可转复13/13(100％)。当S1S1为400ms时普罗帕酮可使心房有效不应期从(149±6)ms增至(181±5)ms,增加率为23％±4％,而S1S1为200ms时,心房有效不应期从(120±6)ms增至(192±4)ms,增加率达66％±8％,心房有效不应期增加为正向频率依赖性(P＜0.01)。当S1S1为400ms时Ambasilide可使心房有效不应期从(164±3)ms增至(214±7)ms,增加率为31％±4％,而S1S1为200ms时,心房有效不应期从(126±5)ms增至(156±5)ms,增加率25％±6％,心房有效不应期增加为非频率依赖性(P＞0.05)。普罗帕酮在S1S1为200ms时可减慢心房传导速度达34％±4％,而Ambasilide对心房传导速度无影响。两药均可延长折返波长。结论(1)普罗帕酮和Ambasilide通过增加心房不应期和折返波长而终止迷走性持续房颤;(2)普罗帕酮延长心房不应期呈正向频率依赖性而Ambasilide呈非频率依赖性延长;(3)普罗帕酮减慢心房传导速度而Ambasilide对心房传导速度无影响。     

迷走神经活动对心房电重构的影响

目的 研究迷走神经干预对心房电重构的影响.方法 24只杂种犬随机分为3组,为排除交感神经对心房电重构的影响,3组犬均应用美托洛尔阻断交感神经效应.A组10只犬快速心房起搏过程中无迷走神经干预,B组8只犬应用阿托品阻断迷走神经效应,C组6只犬在快速心房起搏过程中同时进行迷走神经刺激.在右心房(RA)、冠状静脉窦(CS)和右心室(RV)放置多极导管.通过RA电极导管进行600次/min心房起搏30 min构建急性心房电重构模型.在右心房快速起搏前后测量基础状态(无迷走神经刺激)和迷走神经刺激下的心房有效不应期(AERP)和心房颤动(房颤)易感窗口(VW).结果 A组犬右心房快速起搏后基础状态下及迷走神经刺激时的AERP较起搏前明显缩短(P＜0.05).B组犬右心房快速起搏后基础状态下及迷走神经刺激时的AERP较起搏前无明显变化(P＞0.05).C组犬右心房快速起搏后基础状态下及迷走神经刺激时的AERP较起搏前明显缩短(P＜0.05).A组及C组右心房快速起搏后AERP缩短值明显大于B组(P＜0.05),但A组及C组AERP缩短值差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).迷走神经刺激下,B组犬在右心房快速起搏前后均较难诱发房颤(VW接近0),A组及C组犬右心房快速起搏后较起搏前容易诱发房颤(P＜0.05).结论 短期右心房快速起搏导致的心房电重构过程中伴随着迷走神经兴奋性增强.迷走神经兴奋性增强及迷走神经刺激加重心房电重构,导致房颤易感性增加.迷走神经阻滞能减轻心房电重构,降低房颤易感性.     

钙对心房肌电重构影响的实验研究

目的 用动物试验模拟快速房律,观察心房电重构的电生理变化并对其机制进行初的探讨。方法 用8只羊自身随机对照,观察不同状态下和用不同药物时心房有效不应期（AERP）的变化,和心房颤动（房颤）的诱发率。结果（1）800次／min的快速心房刺激很快引起AERP的缩短,停止刺激后AERP的恢复也很快。单用维拉帕米可防止快速刺激引起AERP的缩短,而升高血血清钙显延缓停止刺激后的AERP的恢复,而且升高血清钙可消除维拉帕米对AERP的保护作用。（2）快速心房刺激后明显增加心房反复激动和房颤的诱导率。结论 （1）7h,800次／min的快速刺激可赞成心房电重构,电重构出现较早（30min内）,停止刺激后电重构很快恢复（1h)内,（2）心房电重构后容易诱发心房反复激动和房颤;（3）维拉帕米可预防心房电重构,升高血钙可延缓电重构的恢复。     

左旋卡尼汀对犬心房急性缺血诱发电生理变化的影响

目的观察左旋卡尼汀（L—CN）对犬心房急性缺血时心房肌电生理改变及心房颤动（房颤）诱发率的影响。方法2003—2005年将解放军总医院的12只健康杂种犬随机分为L—CN用药组和生理盐水对照组。结扎右冠状动脉心房分支，造成心房肌局部缺血。观察各组缺血前后右心房不同部位的有效不应期（AERP）、右心房内传导速度（CV）的变化，计算右心房内心房激动波波长（WL）和房颤的诱发率并行心房肌病理学检查。结果（1）结扎右冠脉后盐水组缺血区心肌AERP均明显缩短；L—CN组右冠脉结扎后AERP无显著缩短。（2）冠脉结扎前后，两组右心房内CV均无明显改变。（3）结扎冠脉后，盐水组右心房内WL明显缩短；L—CN组的WL无显著变化。（4）盐水组结扎右冠脉后在不同时间段测量时均诱发房颤，L—CN组结扎冠脉后均未诱发房颤。（5）盐水组可见不同程度的心肌缺血，以冠脉结扎处近端为显著；L—CN组不同部位心肌均未见缺血变化。结论L—CN能够有效防止心肌缺血诱发的电生理变化，从而有效减少房颤的发作。     

环孢素A对持续心房起搏犬心房电生理特性的影响

目的观察钙调神经磷酸酶抑制剂环孢素A(CsA)对慢性心房起搏犬电生理特性的影响。方法健康杂种犬18只,随机分为假手术组(Sham组,只手术不起搏)、快速起搏组(ATP组,植入固律型单腔起搏器,400次/分持续起搏8周)、CsA组(快速起搏基础上喂食环孢素A10mg.kg-1.d-18周),每组6只。实验前后进行电生理检测。记录并比较各组右房有效不应期(ERP)、传导速度(CV)、折返波长(WL)、心房颤动(简称房颤)负荷、频率自适应性等反映心房电生理特性的指标。结果快速起搏8周后ATP、CsA两组右房ERP值均较各组术前及假手术组明显缩短(P<0.05),但缩短程度CsA组显著小于ATP组(BCL300ms时,P<0.05)。两组频率自适应性,CV、房颤诱发率和持续时间无差异。结论环孢素A能够一定程度上抑制快速起搏导致的心房ERP的缩短,但并不因此改变房颤的诱发与维持。     

丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠对家兔快速心房起搏时心房动作电位及有效不应期的影响

研究丹参酮ⅡA磺酸钠(TSN)对家兔短期快速心房起搏时在体心房单相动作电位(AMAP)及心房有效不应期(AERP)的影响,探讨其防治心房颤动的可能机制。家兔24只,随机分为对照组与TSN组各12只。将电极经颈内静脉置入右房记录AMAP,观察基础状态下、给药后0.5h及以600次/分心房快速起搏后0.5,8hAMAP及其频率适应性的变化。结果:与起搏前相比对照组在S1S1200ms刺激时测量的AERP(AERP200)在起搏后0.5h缩短21.2ms,起搏后8h缩短21.6ms(P<0.05),且心房肌的频率适应性丧失。TSN在基础状态下对AMAPA、AMAPD无明显影响,但使AERP200由105.9±3.8ms延长至114.7±7.2ms(P<0.05)。起搏后TSN组维持原有的心房肌频率适应性。结论:快速心房起搏使心房肌的频率适应性丧失而致电重构,TSN能减轻短期快速心房起搏所致电重构。     

左旋卡尼汀对犬心房急性电重构的影响

目的观察左旋卡尼汀（L-carn itine,L-CN）对犬心房颤动（房颤）所引发心房急性电重构的预防作用。方法12只犬随机分为L-CN组和生理盐水对照组。以800次/m in的频率快速起搏右心房1 s以诱发短阵房颤,在恢复窦性心律即刻重复发放刺激以维持房颤2 h。观察各组房颤前后不同时间段的右心房有效不应期（AERP）、AERP的频率适应性及右心房内传导速度（CV）的变化。结果房颤后盐水组AERP显著缩短（P<0.05）,L-CN组房颤前后AERP无显著缩短;盐水组的AERP的频率适应性显著下降（P<0.05）,L-CN组该指标无显著变化;房颤前后两组间右心房内CV无明显改变。结论L-CN能够有效防止房颤诱发的心房急性电重构。     

基础起搏周长对心房和房室传导系统不应期的影响

目的 探讨不同心房基础起搏周长(BCL)对心房、房室传导系统和旁道前向传导不应期的影响.方法 对30例患者行食管心房调搏检查,测定三个不同心房BCL下心房、房室传导系统功能和有效不应期,以及静脉注射普罗帕酮后起搏周长对不应期的影响.结果 随着心房BCL的缩短,心房有效不应期(AERP)、和旁道前向传导有效不应期及房室传导功能不应期(AVFRP)逐渐缩短(P<0.05和0.001),房室传导时间和有效不应期延长(P<0.05),房室结快、慢径路有效不应期无改变.注射普罗帕酮后心房BCL的改变对AERP和AVFRP无明显影响(P>0.05).结论 心房BCL可影响房室传导系统的不应期和传导性,这一作用与交感神经兴奋时的改变不同,应用抗心律失常药物后房室传导系统不应期不受心房BCL的影响.     

Consequences of atrial electrical remodeling for the anti-arrhythmic action of class IC and class III drugs

OBJECTIVE: Atrial fibrillation (AF) induces electrical and ionic remodeling of the atria. We investigated whether AF-induced remodeling alters the electrophysiological and anti-fibrillatory effects of class I (flecainide) and class III (d-sotalol, ibutilide) anti-arrhythmic drugs. METHODS: In 9 goats, the effects of flecainide (6 mg/kg) and d-sotalol (6 mg/kg) on atrial electrophysiology were measured both before and after 48 h of electrically induced AF. During a 1-h infusion period the atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and conduction velocity (CV) were measured both during slow and rapid pacing (interval 400 and 200 ms). In 8 other goats, the rate-dependent effects of ibutilide (0.12 mg/kg) on AERP were determined. RESULTS: The effects of flecainide on atrial conduction and refractoriness were not altered after 48 h of AF. At a dose of 6 mg/kg flecainide reduced the CV200 by 19+/-5% in normal atria and by 21+/-9% after 48 h of AF (p=0.20). The AERP200 was prolonged by 10+/-6% and 8+/-7%, respectively (p=0.40). In contrast, the effect of d-sotalol on atrial refractoriness was markedly diminished. During control d-sotalol prolonged the AERP400 by 17+/-6% compared to only 6+/-5% after 2 days of AF (p<0.01). Also ibutilide lost much of its class III effect on the AERP by electrical remodeling (from 15 to 5%; p<0.05). The loss of class III action was less pronounced at rapid heart rates. CONCLUSIONS: AF-induced atrial electrical remodeling in the goat did not modulate the action of flecainide on atrial conduction and refractoriness. In contrast, the class III effects of d-sotalol and ibutilide on the atria were strongly reduced after 2 days of AF. The prolongation of QT-duration was not affected.     

Electrical Remodeling and Atrial Dilation During Atrial Tachycardia are Influenced by Ventricular Rate: Role of Developing Tachycardiomyopathy

INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF) are two clinical entities that often coincide. Our aim was to establish the influence of concomitant high ventricular rate and consequent development of CHF on electrical remodeling and dilation during atrial tachycardia. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 14 goats was studied. Five goats were subjected to 3:1 AV pacing (A-paced group, atrial rate 240 beats/min, ventricular rate 80 beats/min). Nine goats were subjected to rapid 1:1 AV pacing (AV-paced group, atrial and ventricular rates 240 beats/min). During 4 weeks, right atrial (RA) and left ventricular (LV) diameters were measured during sinus rhythm. Atrial effective refractory periods (AERP) and inducibility of AF were assessed at three basic cycle lengths (BCL). After 4 weeks of rapid AV pacing, RA and LV diameters had increased to 151% and 113% of baseline, whereas after rapid atrial pacing alone, these parameters were unchanged. Right AERP (157+/-10 msec vs 144+/-16 msec at baseline with BCL of 400 msec in the A-paced and AV-paced group, respectively) initially decreased in both groups, reaching minimum values within 1 week. Subsequently, AERP partially recovered in AV-paced goats, whereas AERP remained short in A-paced goats (79+/-7 msec vs 102+/-12 msec after 4 weeks; P < 0.05). Left AERP demonstrated a similar time course. Inducibility of AF increased in both groups and reached a maximum during the first week in both groups, being 20% and 48% in the A-paced and AV-paced group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Nature and time course of atrial electrical remodeling and dilation during atrial tachycardia are influenced by concurrent high ventricular rate and consequent development of CHF.     

Chronic atrial dilation, electrical remodeling, and atrial fibrillation in the goat.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the mutual effects of chronic atrial dilation and electrical remodeling on the characteristics of atrial fibrillation (AF). BACKGROUND: Both electrical remodeling and atrial dilation promote the inducibility and perpetuation of AF. METHODS: In seven goats AF was induced during 48 h by burst pacing, both at baseline and after four weeks of slow idioventricular rhythm (total AV block). Atrial size and refractory period (AERP) were monitored together with the duration and cycle length of AF paroxysms (AFCL). After four weeks of total atrioventricular (AV) block, the conduction in both atria was mapped during AF. Six non-instrumented goats served as controls. RESULTS: At baseline, AF-induced electrical remodeling shortened AERP and AFCL to the same extent (from 185 +/- 9 ms to 149 +/- 14 ms [p < 0.05] and from 154 +/- 11 ms to 121 +/- 5 ms [p < 0.05], respectively). After four weeks of AV block the right atrial diameter had increased by 13.2 +/- 3.0% (p < 0.01). Surprisingly, in dilated atria electrical remodeling still shortened the AERP (from 165 +/- 9 ms to 132 +/- 15 ms [p < 0.05]) but failed to shorten the AFCL (140 +/- 19 ms vs. 139 +/- 11 ms [p = 0.98]). Mapping revealed a higher incidence of intra-atrial conduction delays during AF. Histologic analysis showed no atrial fibrosis but did reveal a positive correlation between the size of atrial myocytes and the incidence of intra-atrial conduction block (r = 0.60, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In a goat model of chronic atrial dilation, AF-induced electrical remodeling was unchanged. However, AFCL no longer shortened during electrical remodeling. Thus, in dilated atria a wider excitable gap exists during AF, probably caused by intra-atrial conduction defects and a higher contribution of anatomically defined re-entrant circuits.     

用实验性心力衰竭制作持续性心房颤动模型

为探讨实验性心力衰竭（简称心衰）形成持续性心房颤动（简称房颤）的可行性，用２００～２５０ｐｐｍ的频率以ＶＯＯ方式起搏犬心室３～７周形成实验性心衰，在犬清醒状态下观察心衰前、后刺激诱发的房性快速心律失常。快速起搏右室３～７周，８条犬均发生充血性心衰，３周时体重由心衰前的２８±６ｋｇ降至２４±４ｋｇ（Ｐ＜０．０５）；左室射血分数由０．６４±０．０６降至０．２３±０．０９（Ｐ＜０．０１），右房直径由２５±３ｍｍ增至３６±６ｍｍ（Ｐ＜０．０１），心房不应期由１１６±５ｍｓ增至１３７±１２ｍｓ（Ｐ＝０．０１），不应期离散度无显著性改变（１６±１２ｍｓｖｓ２０±９ｍｓ，Ｐ＝０．２０），心房平均传导时间亦无显著性变化（６１±１９ｍｓｖｓ６６±２４ｍｓ，Ｐ＝０．２０）。１条犬于起搏后第６周夜间突然死亡。心衰前，８条犬均未诱发心房扑动，４条犬诱发短暂房颤；心衰后，８条犬均可反复诱发心房扑动和持续性房颤（持续时间超过１５ｍｉｎ，平均周长９５±５ｍｓ），最长者持续２４ｈ以上。结果表明起搏心室导致犬心衰可形成非瓣膜病性慢性房颤的实验模型。     

Cardioversion of persistent atrial fibrillation by a combination of atrial specific and non-specific class III drugs in the goat

OBJECTIVE: In electrically remodeled atria the effect of blockers of the delayed rectifier K+ current I(Kr) on repolarization is reduced, whereas the efficacy of 'early' class III drugs (I(Kur)/I(to)/I(Kach) blockers) is enhanced. We evaluated the electrophysiological and antifibrillatory effects of AVE0118, dofetilide, and ibutilide (alone and in combination) on persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) in the goat. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effects of separate and combined administration of AVE0118, dofetilide, and ibutilide were determined before and after 48 h of AF. AVE0118 alone markedly prolonged the atrial refractory period (400 ms cycle length) (AERP(400)) before and after 48 h of AF. The prolongation of AERP(400) by dofetilide and ibutilide, respectively, was reduced by AF from 22+/-2 to 7+/-2 ms (p<0.01) and 25+/-5 to 5+/-2 ms (p=0.01). Pre-treatment with AVE0118 restored the prolongation of AERP(400) by dofetilide or ibutilide (to 20+/-3 and 30+/-6 ms; p<0.01). This effect was atrial specific since the QT-interval was not changed. The antifibrillatory action was evaluated in 10 goats that were in persistent AF for 57+/-7 days. Dofetilide (20 mug/kg/h) or ibutilide (4 mg/h) alone restored sinus rhythm in only 20% of the animals. AVE0118 (1, 3 and 10 mg/kg/h) [corrected] terminated AF in 11, 30, and 60%, respectively. Additional infusion of I(Kr) blockers caused an additional number of cardioversions, resulting in a final cardioversion rate of 56, 80, and 100%, respectively. AVE0118 alone prolonged the AF cycle length (AFCL) while the conduction velocity during AF (CV(AF)) remained unchanged (70+/-1 vs. 68+/-2 cm/s; p=0.3). Addition of dofetilide or ibutilide caused a synergistic increase in AFCL and a slight increase in CV(AF) to 74+/-1 cm/s (p<0.001). The length of the reentrant trajectories increased from 7.6+/-0.3 (control) to 11.6+/-0.5 cm after AVE0118 alone (p<0.001) and 14.8+/-0.8 cm after addition of dofetilide or ibutilide (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In electrically remodeled atria, blockade of I(Kur)/I(to)/I(KAch) restored the class III action of I(Kr) blockers. Persistent AF could be effectively cardioverted by infusion of a combination of AVE0118 and dofetilide or ibutilide. This antifibrillatory action was associated with an almost twofold lengthening of the intra-atrial pathways for reentry.     

Long-term changes in sequence of atrial activation and refractory periods: no evidence for "atrial memory".

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to test whether the spatial distribution of the atrial refractory period (AERP) and the vulnerability to atrial fibrillation (AF) are altered by long-term changes in the sequence of atrial activation. BACKGROUND: The spatial distribution of the AERP plays an important role in AF. Changes in the activation sequence have been postulated to modulate atrial repolarization ("atrial memory"). METHODS: Six goats were chronically instrumented with epicardial atrial electrodes to determine activation time and AERP at 11 different areas of the right (RA) and left (LA) atrium and the Bachmann bundle. Activation time and AERP were measured during sinus rhythm and during prolonged RA and LA pacing (1 week RA pacing, 2 weeks LA pacing, 1 week RA pacing; 150 bpm). Inducibility of AF was determined by the number of atrial sites where single premature stimuli induced AF paroxysms >1 second. RESULTS: During sinus rhythm (106 +/- 4 bpm), AERP was longest at the Bachmann bundle and shortest at the LA free wall (185 +/- 6 ms and 141 +/- 5 ms, P < .001). In five of six goats, an inverse correlation between local activation time and AERP was found during sinus rhythm (r = -0.53 +/- 0.05; P < .05). The increase in atrial rate during RA and LA pacing caused an overall shortening of AERP from 167 +/- 6 ms to 140 +/- 6 ms (P < .001). However, a switch between long-term RA and LA pacing did not significantly change AERP at any of the 11 atrial regions and had no significant effect on AF inducibility. CONCLUSIONS: During sinus rhythm, an inverse relationship exists between the sequence of atrial activation and the local refractory period. However, long-term changes in the sequence of atrial activation do not alter the spatial distribution of AERP or the inducibility of AF.     

Effects of Intrapericardial Sotalol and Flecainide on Transmural Atrial Electrophysiology and Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Intrapericardial (IPC) delivery of antiarrhythmic agents is an appealing idea to increase the therapeutic width and reduce side effects of drugs, particularly in the thin atria. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of IPC versus intravenous (IV) d,l-sotalol and flecainide infusion on transmural atrial electrophysiology and sustained atrial fibrillation (AF) in the goat.
Methods and Results: Effects of IPC and IV sotalol and flecainide infusion on epi- and endocardial atrial electrophysiology, ECG, and tissue drug concentrations were studied in goats without and with persistent AF (>24 hours). Epicardial atrial refractory period (AERP, bcl 400 ms) increased after 120 minutes of 1 mg/kg/hour IPC sotalol with 61 ± 8 ms (P = 0.02), whereas the endocardial AERP was not affected. One mg/kg/hour IPC flecainide increased the epicardial pacing threshold and the epicardial AERP with 4 ± 0.5 mA (P = 0.003) and 33 ± 11 ms (P = 0.05), respectively. Endocardial values were unchanged. Marked ST-elevations in the precordial ECG leads were observed after IPC flecainide. In the AF group, IPC drugs did not prolong AF cycle length to a greater extent than IV delivery. The number of cardioversions was not different between the two delivery routes. A steep transmural drug concentration gradient after IPC sotalol and flecainide was observed in all heart chambers.
Conclusion: IPC sotalol and flecainide infusion in goats markedly affects epicardial atrial electrophysiology. IPC delivery, however, does not prolong AFCL or terminate AF to a greater extent than IV infusion. This suggests that the perpetuation of AF is not dominated by the epicardial and sub epicardial atrial layers.     

Supervulnerable phase immediately after termination of atrial fibrillation

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies with the implantable atrial cardioverter have shown that atrial fibrillation (AF) recurs almost immediately after successful cardioversion in about 27% of cases. In the present study, we determined the electrophysiologic properties of the caprine atrium immediately after spontaneous termination of AF both before and after 48 hours of AF-induced electrical remodeling. METHODS AND RESULTS: In eight goats, atrial effective refractory period (AERP), intra-atrial conduction velocity, and atrial wavelength were measured during sinus rhythm both before (t = 0) and after 48 hours (t = 48) of electrically maintained AF (baseline). After baseline, a 5-minute paroxysm of AF was induced, during which the refractory period (RPAF) was determined. AERP, conduction velocity, and atrial wavelength also were measured immediately after spontaneous restoration of sinus rhythm (post-AF values). Both in normal and remodeled atria, immediately after AF, AERP and conduction velocity were markedly decreased compared with baseline (P < 0.01). In normal atria, post-AF AERP (107+/-14 msec) gradually prolonged from its AF value (114+/-17 msec) to its baseline value (138+/-13 msec). Conduction velocity decreased from 130+/-9 cm/sec to 117+/-9 cm/sec. After 48 hours of AF, AERP had shortened to 74+/-8 msec. RPAF was 89+/-9 msec. Surprisingly, immediately after termination of AF, AERP shortened further to 58+/-6 msec (P < 0.01). Post-AF conduction velocity decreased from 136+/-11 cm/sec to 122+/-10 cm/sec (P < 0.01). As a result, the post-AF atrial wavelength became as short as 7.1+/-1 cm. These changes were transient, and all parameters gradually returned to baseline within 1 to 2 minutes after conversion of AF. CONCLUSION: Due to a combined decrease in AERP and conduction velocity, marked shortening of the atrial wavelength occurs during the first minutes after conversion of AF. In electrically remodeled atria, this results in a transient ultrashort value of AERP (<60 msec) and atrial wavelength (7.1 cm). These observations imply a highly vulnerable substrate for reentry immediately after termination of AF. During this supervulnerable phase, both early and later premature beats reinitiated immediate recurrences of AF.