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Remme CA, Heijman J, Gomez AM, Zaza A, Odening KE. 25 years of basic and translational science in EP Europace: novel insights into arrhythmia mechanisms and therapeutic strategies. Europace 2023; 25:euad210. [PMID: 37622575 PMCID: PMC10450791 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last 25 years, EP Europace has published more than 300 basic and translational science articles covering different arrhythmia types (ranging from atrial fibrillation to ventricular tachyarrhythmias), different diseases predisposing to arrhythmia formation (such as genetic arrhythmia disorders and heart failure), and different interventional and pharmacological anti-arrhythmic treatment strategies (ranging from pacing and defibrillation to different ablation approaches and novel drug-therapies). These studies have been conducted in cellular models, small and large animal models, and in the last couple of years increasingly in silico using computational approaches. In sum, these articles have contributed substantially to our pathophysiological understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms and treatment options; many of which have made their way into clinical applications. This review discusses a representative selection of EP Europace manuscripts covering the topics of pacing and ablation, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and pro-arrhythmic ventricular remodelling, ion channel (dys)function and pharmacology, inherited arrhythmia syndromes, and arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies, highlighting some of the advances of the past 25 years. Given the increasingly recognized complexity and multidisciplinary nature of arrhythmogenesis and continued technological developments, basic and translational electrophysiological research is key advancing the field. EP Europace aims to further increase its contribution to the discovery of arrhythmia mechanisms and the implementation of mechanism-based precision therapy approaches in arrhythmia management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Ann Remme
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Heart Centre, Academic Medical Center, Room K2-104.2, Meibergdreef 11, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Heart Failure & Arrhythmias, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jordi Heijman
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ana M Gomez
- Signaling and Cardiovascular Pathophysiology, UMR-S 1180, Inserm, Université Paris-Saclay, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Antonio Zaza
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
| | - Katja E Odening
- Translational Cardiology, Department of Cardiology and Department of Physiology, Inselspital University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
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Saadeh K, Shivkumar K, Jeevaratnam K. Targeting the β-adrenergic receptor in the clinical management of congenital long QT syndrome. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1474:27-46. [PMID: 32901453 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The long QT syndrome (LQTS) is largely treated pharmacologically with β-blockers, despite the role of sympathetic activity in LQTS being poorly understood. Using the trigger-substrate model of cardiac arrhythmias in this review, we amalgamate current experimental and clinical data from both animal and human studies to explain the mechanism of adrenergic stimulation and blockade on LQT arrhythmic risk and hence assess the efficacy of β-adrenoceptor blockade in the management of LQTS. In LQTS1 and LQTS2, sympathetic stimulation increases arrhythmic risk by enhancing early afterdepolarizations and transmural dispersion of repolarization. β-Blockers successfully reduce cardiac events by reducing these triggers and substrates; however, these effects are less marked in LQTS2 compared with LQTS1. In LQTS3, clinical and experimental investigations of the effects of sympathetic stimulation and β-blocker use have produced contradictory findings, resulting in significant clinical uncertainty. We offer explanations for these contradicting results relating to study sample size, the dose of the β-blocker administered associated with its off-target Na+ channel effects, as well as the type of β-blocker used. We conclude that the antiarrhythmic efficacy of β-blockers is a genotype-specific phenomenon, and hence the use of β-blockers in clinical practice should be genotype dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalil Saadeh
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom.,School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kalyanam Shivkumar
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Centre, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
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Chadda KR, Ajijola OA, Vaseghi M, Shivkumar K, Huang CLH, Jeevaratnam K. Ageing, the autonomic nervous system and arrhythmia: From brain to heart. Ageing Res Rev 2018; 48:40-50. [PMID: 30300712 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2018.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
An ageing myocardium possesses significant electrophysiological alterations that predisposes the elderly patient to arrhythmic risk. Whilst these alterations are intrinsic to the cardiac myocytes, they are modulated by the cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) and consequently, ageing of the cardiac ANS is fundamental to the development of arrhythmias. A systems-based approach that incorporates the influence of the cardiac ANS could lead to better mechanistic understanding of how arrhythmogenic triggers and substrates interact spatially and temporally to produce sustained arrhythmia and why its incidence increases with age. Despite the existence of physiological oscillations of ANS activity on the heart, pathological oscillations can lead to defective activation and recovery properties of the myocardium. Such changes can be attributable to the decrease in functionality and structural alterations to ANS specific receptors in the myocardium with age. These altered ANS adaptive responses can occur either as a normal ageing process or accelerated in the presence of specific cardiac pathologies, such as genetic mutations or neurodegenerative conditions. Targeted intervention that seek to manipulate the ageing ANS influence on the myocardium may prove to be an efficacious approach for the management of arrhythmia in the ageing population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karan R Chadda
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AL, United Kingdom; Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom
| | - Olujimi A Ajijola
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System/David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marmar Vaseghi
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System/David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kalyanam Shivkumar
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System/David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Christopher L-H Huang
- Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom; Department of Biochemistry, Hopkins Building, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1QW, United Kingdom
| | - Kamalan Jeevaratnam
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7AL, United Kingdom; Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, United Kingdom.
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The effects of ageing and adrenergic challenge on electrocardiographic phenotypes in a murine model of long QT syndrome type 3. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11070. [PMID: 28894151 PMCID: PMC5593918 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-11210-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Long QT Syndrome 3 (LQTS3) arises from gain-of-function Nav1.5 mutations, prolonging action potential repolarisation and electrocardiographic (ECG) QT interval, associated with increased age-dependent risk for major arrhythmic events, and paradoxical responses to β-adrenergic agents. We investigated for independent and interacting effects of age and Scn5a+/ΔKPQ genotype in anaesthetised mice modelling LQTS3 on ECG phenotypes before and following β-agonist challenge, and upon fibrotic change. Prolonged ventricular recovery was independently associated with Scn5a+/ΔKPQ and age. Ventricular activation was prolonged in old Scn5a+/ΔKPQ mice (p = 0.03). We associated Scn5a+/ΔKPQ with increased atrial and ventricular fibrosis (both: p < 0.001). Ventricles also showed increased fibrosis with age (p < 0.001). Age and Scn5a+/ΔKPQ interacted in increasing incidences of repolarisation alternans (p = 0.02). Dobutamine increased ventricular rate (p < 0.001) and reduced both atrioventricular conduction (PR segment-p = 0.02; PR interval-p = 0.02) and incidences of repolarisation alternans (p < 0.001) in all mice. However, in Scn5a+/ΔKPQ mice, dobutamine delayed the changes in ventricular repolarisation following corresponding increases in ventricular rate. The present findings implicate interactions between age and Scn5a+/ΔKPQ in prolonging ventricular activation, correlating them with fibrotic change for the first time, adding activation abnormalities to established recovery abnormalities in LQTS3. These findings, together with dynamic electrophysiological responses to β-adrenergic challenge, have therapeutic implications for ageing LQTS patients.
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Xie X, Visweswaran R, Guzman PA, Smith RM, Osborn JW, Tolkacheva EG. The effect of cardiac sympathetic denervation through bilateral stellate ganglionectomy on electrical properties of the heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2011; 301:H192-9. [PMID: 21498778 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.01149.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The role of the cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in various cardiac diseases is typically evaluated using β-adrenergic receptor antagonists. However, these antagonists induce global denervation effects not only in the cardiovascular system, but also in the brain and kidney. The objective of this study was to detect the electrophysiological property changes due to 8 days of cardiac sympathetic denervation and investigate the possible mechanisms underlying these changes using a more cardiac-specific bilateral stellate ganglionectomy (SGX) rat model. High-resolution optical mapping using a voltage-sensitive dye was performed in isolated Langendorff-perfused sham and SGX hearts, which were paced at progressively reduced basic cycle lengths under several different conditions: control, pretreatment with isoproterenol, and administration of atenolol and esmolol. Several electrophysiological parameters were recorded during periodic pacing and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Our results demonstrate that cardiac sympathetic denervation by bilateral SGX shortens action potential duration (APD) and flattens the APD restitution curve, but does not significantly affect spatial dispersion of APD. We found that, although the vulnerability of sham and SGX hearts to VF is similar, the dynamics of VF are different. The maximum dominant frequency is higher, and the spatial distribution of VF is more complex in the SGX heart, resulting in different mechanisms of VF. We demonstrated that β(1)-adrenergic receptors are downregulated in the SGX compared with sham hearts. In addition, our data suggest that the mechanism of cardiac sympathetic denervation by SGX surgery is more similar to the administration of β-blocker esmolol than atenolol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyi Xie
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Univ. of Minnesota, 7-112 Hasselmo Hall, 312 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Izumi D, Chinushi M, Iijima K, Ahara S, Komura S, Furushima H, Hosaka Y, Sanada A, Yagihara N, Aizawa Y. Effects of bepridil versus E-4031 on transmural ventricular repolarization and inducibility of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the dog. PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: PACE 2010; 33:950-9. [PMID: 20487341 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8159.2010.02768.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bepridil (a multiple channel blocker) may markedly prolong the QT interval and induce polymorphic ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTA). We compared the transmural ventricular repolarization characteristics and inducibility of polymorphic VTA after administration of bepridil versus the pure I(Kr) blocker, E-4031, each administered to five open-chest dogs. METHODS We used plunge needle electrode to record transmural left ventricular (LV) repolarization and activation-recovery interval (ARI) to estimate local repolarization. The correlation between paced cycle length and ARI was separately examined in the LV endocardium, mid-myocardium (Mid), and epicardium. Attempts to induce VTA were made during bradycardia and sympathetic stimulation. RESULTS Bepridil and E-4031 prolonged QT interval and ARI in all LV layers, though the magnitude of prolongation was greatest in Mid, increasing the transmural ARI dispersion, particularly during bradycardia. Compared with E-4031, bepridil caused mild, reverse use-dependent changes in ventricular repolarization, and less ARI dispersion than E-4031 during slow ventricular pacing. Both drugs increased ARI(max) and cycle length at 50% of ARI(max), though the changes were smaller after bepridil than after E-4031 administration. Bradycardia after the administration of each drug induced no VTA; however, sympathetic stimulation induced sustained polymorphic VTA in two of five dogs treated with E-4031 versus no dog treated with bepridil. CONCLUSIONS Unlike the pure I(kr) blocker, E-4031, bepridil exhibited weak properties of reverse use-dependency and protected against sympathetic stimulation-induced VTA. It may be an effective supplemental treatment for recipients of implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Izumi
- First Department of Internal Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata, Japan
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Ahrens-Nicklas RC, Clancy CE, Christini DJ. Re-evaluating the efficacy of beta-adrenergic agonists and antagonists in long QT-3 syndrome through computational modelling. Cardiovasc Res 2009; 82:439-47. [PMID: 19264765 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvp083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heterogeneous collection of inherited cardiac ion channelopathies characterized by a prolonged electrocardiogram QT interval and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Beta-adrenergic blockers are the mainstay of treatment for LQTS. While their efficacy has been demonstrated in LQTS patients harbouring potassium channel mutations, studies of beta-blockers in subtype 3 (LQT3), which is caused by sodium channel mutations, have produced ambiguous results. In this modelling study, we explore the effects of beta-adrenergic drugs on the LQT3 phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS In order to investigate the effects of beta-adrenergic activity and to identify sources of ambiguity in earlier studies, we developed a computational model incorporating the effects of beta-agonists and beta-blockers into an LQT3 mutant guinea pig ventricular myocyte model. Beta-activation suppressed two arrhythmogenic phenomena, transmural dispersion of repolarization and early after depolarizations, in a dose-dependent manner. However, the ability of beta-activation to prevent cardiac conduction block was pacing-rate-dependent. Low-dose beta-blockade by propranolol reversed the beneficial effects of beta-activation, while high dose (which has off-target sodium channel effects) decreased arrhythmia susceptibility. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that beta-activation may be protective in LQT3 and help to reconcile seemingly conflicting results from different experimental models. They also highlight the need for well-controlled clinical investigations re-evaluating the use of beta-blockers in LQT3 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Ahrens-Nicklas
- Greenberg Division of Cardiology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Ave., Box 161, New York, NY 10065, USA
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