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Giannino G, Braia V, Griffith Brookles C, Giacobbe F, D'Ascenzo F, Angelini F, Saglietto A, De Ferrari GM, Dusi V. The Intrinsic Cardiac Nervous System: From Pathophysiology to Therapeutic Implications. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:105. [PMID: 38392323 PMCID: PMC10887082 DOI: 10.3390/biology13020105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
The cardiac autonomic nervous system (CANS) plays a pivotal role in cardiac homeostasis as well as in cardiac pathology. The first level of cardiac autonomic control, the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICNS), is located within the epicardial fat pads and is physically organized in ganglionated plexi (GPs). The ICNS system does not only contain parasympathetic cardiac efferent neurons, as long believed, but also afferent neurons and local circuit neurons. Thanks to its high degree of connectivity, combined with neuronal plasticity and memory capacity, the ICNS allows for a beat-to-beat control of all cardiac functions and responses as well as integration with extracardiac and higher centers for longer-term cardiovascular reflexes. The present review provides a detailed overview of the current knowledge of the bidirectional connection between the ICNS and the most studied cardiac pathologies/conditions (myocardial infarction, heart failure, arrhythmias and heart transplant) and the potential therapeutic implications. Indeed, GP modulation with efferent activity inhibition, differently achieved, has been studied for atrial fibrillation and functional bradyarrhythmias, while GP modulation with efferent activity stimulation has been evaluated for myocardial infarction, heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias. Electrical therapy has the unique potential to allow for both kinds of ICNS modulation while preserving the anatomical integrity of the system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Giannino
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Valentina Braia
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Carola Griffith Brookles
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Federico Giacobbe
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Fabrizio D'Ascenzo
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Filippo Angelini
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Andrea Saglietto
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Gaetano Maria De Ferrari
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
| | - Veronica Dusi
- Cardiology, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10124 Torino, Italy
- Division of Cardiology, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Department, 'Città della Salute e della Scienza' Hospital, 10126 Torino, Italy
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Cipriani A, D’Amico G, Brunetti G, Vescovo GM, Donato F, Gambato M, Dall’Aglio PB, Cardaioli F, Previato M, Martini N, Perazzolo Marra M, Iliceto S, Cacciavillani L, Corrado D, Zorzi A. Electrocardiographic Predictors of Primary Ventricular Fibrillation and 30-Day Mortality in Patients Presenting with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10245933. [PMID: 34945229 PMCID: PMC8703328 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary ventricular fibrillation (PVF) may occur in the early phase of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Multiple electrocardiographic STEMI patterns are associated with PVF and short-term mortality including the tombstone, Lambda, and triangular QRS-ST-T waveform (TW). We aimed to compare the predictive value of different electrocardiographic STEMI patterns for PVF and 30-day mortality. We included a consecutive cohort of 407 STEMI patients (75% males, median age 66 years) presenting within 12 h of symptoms onset. At first medical contact, 14 (3%) showed the TW or Lambda ECG patterns, which were combined in a single group (TW-Lambda pattern) characterized by giant R-wave and downsloping ST-segment. PVF prior to primary PCI occurred in 39 (10%) patients, significantly more often in patients with the TW-Lambda pattern than those without (50% vs. 8%, p < 0.001). For the multivariable analysis, Killip class ≥3 (OR 6.19, 95% CI 2.37–16.1, p < 0.001) and TW-Lambda pattern (OR 9.64, 95% CI 2.99–31.0, p < 0.001) remained as independent predictors of PVF. Thirty-day mortality was also higher in patients with the TW-Lambda pattern than in those without (43% vs. 6%, p < 0.001). However, only LVEF (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.82–0.90, p < 0.001) and PVF (OR 4.61, 95% CI 1.49–14.3, p = 0.042) remained independent predictors of mortality. A mediation analysis showed that the effect of TW-Lambda pattern on mortality was mediated mainly via the reduced LVEF. In conclusion, among patients presenting with STEMI, the electrocardiographic TW-Lambda pattern was associated with both PVF before PCI and 30-day mortality. Therefore, this ECG pattern may be useful for early risk stratification of STEMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cipriani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Gianpiero D’Amico
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy; (G.D.); (G.M.V.); (M.P.)
| | - Giulia Brunetti
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Giovanni Maria Vescovo
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy; (G.D.); (G.M.V.); (M.P.)
| | - Filippo Donato
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Marco Gambato
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Pietro Bernardo Dall’Aglio
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Francesco Cardaioli
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Martina Previato
- Department of Cardiology, Ospedale dell’Angelo, 30174 Venice, Italy; (G.D.); (G.M.V.); (M.P.)
| | - Nicolò Martini
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Martina Perazzolo Marra
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Sabino Iliceto
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Luisa Cacciavillani
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
| | - Domenico Corrado
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alessandro Zorzi
- Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, 35128 Padova, Italy; (A.C.); (G.B.); (F.D.); (M.G.); (P.B.D.); (F.C.); (N.M.); (M.P.M.); (S.I.); (L.C.); (A.Z.)
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Boukens BJD, Dacey M, Meijborg VMF, Janse MJ, Hadaya J, Hanna P, Swid MA, Opthof T, Ardell JL, Shivkumar K, Coronel R. Mechanism of ventricular premature beats elicited by left stellate ganglion stimulation during acute ischaemia of the anterior left ventricle. Cardiovasc Res 2020; 117:2083-2091. [PMID: 32853334 PMCID: PMC8318107 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvaa253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Enhanced sympathetic activity during acute ischaemia is arrhythmogenic, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. During ischaemia, a diastolic current flows from the ischaemic to the non-ischaemic myocardium. This 'injury' current can cause ventricular premature beats (VPBs) originating in the non-ischaemic myocardium, especially during a deeply negative T wave in the ischaemic zone. We reasoned that shortening of repolarization in myocardium adjacent to ischaemic myocardium increases the 'injury' current and causes earlier deeply negative T waves in the ischaemic zone, and re-excitation of the normal myocardium. We tested this hypothesis by activation and repolarization mapping during stimulation of the left stellate ganglion (LSG) during left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion. METHODS AND RESULTS In nine pigs, five subsequent episodes of acute ischaemia, separated by 20 min of reperfusion, were produced by occlusion of the LAD and 121 epicardial local unipolar electrograms were recorded. During the third occlusion, left stellate ganglion stimulation (LSGS) was initiated after 3 min for a 30-s period, causing a shortening of repolarization in the normal myocardium by about 100 ms. This resulted in more negative T waves in the ischaemic zone and more VPBs than during the second, control, occlusion. Following the decentralization of the LSG (including removal of the right stellate ganglion and bilateral cervical vagotomy), fewer VPBs occurred during ischaemia without LSGS. During LSGS, the number of VPBs was similar to that recorded before decentralization. CONCLUSION LSGS, by virtue of shortening of repolarization in the non-ischaemic myocardium by about 100 ms, causes deeply negative T waves in the ischaemic tissue and VPBs originating from the normal tissue adjacent to the ischaemic border.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bastiaan J D Boukens
- Department of Medical Biology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Dacey
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Veronique M F Meijborg
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michiel J Janse
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph Hadaya
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peter Hanna
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - M Amer Swid
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tobias Opthof
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Ruben Coronel
- Department of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Heart Center, Meibergdreef 9, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,L'Institut de RYtmologie et de Modelisation Cardiaque (LIRYC), Universite de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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Burton RAB, Tomek J, Ambrosi CM, Larsen HE, Sharkey AR, Capel RA, Corbett AD, Bilton S, Klimas A, Stephens G, Cremer M, Bose SJ, Li D, Gallone G, Herring N, Mann EO, Kumar A, Kramer H, Entcheva E, Paterson DJ, Bub G. Optical Interrogation of Sympathetic Neuronal Effects on Macroscopic Cardiomyocyte Network Dynamics. iScience 2020; 23:101334. [PMID: 32674058 PMCID: PMC7363704 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac stimulation via sympathetic neurons can potentially trigger arrhythmias. We present approaches to study neuron-cardiomyocyte interactions involving optogenetic selective probing and all-optical electrophysiology to measure activity in an automated fashion. Here we demonstrate the utility of optical interrogation of sympathetic neurons and their effects on macroscopic cardiomyocyte network dynamics to address research targets such as the effects of adrenergic stimulation via the release of neurotransmitters, the effect of neuronal numbers on cardiac behavior, and the applicability of optogenetics in mechanistic in vitro studies. As arrhythmias are emergent behaviors that involve the coordinated activity of millions of cells, we image at macroscopic scales to capture complex dynamics. We show that neurons can both decrease and increase wave stability and re-entrant activity in culture depending on their induced activity-a finding that may help us understand the often conflicting results seen in experimental and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca-Ann B Burton
- University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK; University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK.
| | - Jakub Tomek
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Christina M Ambrosi
- The George Washington University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Hege E Larsen
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Amy R Sharkey
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Rebecca A Capel
- University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | | | - Samuel Bilton
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Aleksandra Klimas
- The George Washington University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Guy Stephens
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Maegan Cremer
- University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Samuel J Bose
- University of Oxford, Department of Pharmacology, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Dan Li
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Giuseppe Gallone
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK; Department of Computational Molecular Biology, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Ihnestraße 63-73, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Neil Herring
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Edward O Mann
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Abhinav Kumar
- University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry, Glycobiology Institute, Oxford, UK
| | - Holger Kramer
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Emilia Entcheva
- The George Washington University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - David J Paterson
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Gil Bub
- University of Oxford, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, British Heart Foundation Centre of Research Excellence, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK; McGill University, Department of Physiology, McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, Room 1128, 3655 Promenade Sir William Osler, Montréal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada.
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5
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La Rovere MT, Porta A, Schwartz PJ. Autonomic Control of the Heart and Its Clinical Impact. A Personal Perspective. Front Physiol 2020; 11:582. [PMID: 32670079 PMCID: PMC7328903 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This essay covers several aspects of the autonomic control of the heart, all relevant to cardiovascular pathophysiology with a direct impact on clinical outcomes. Ischemic heart disease, heart failure, channelopathies, and life-threatening arrhythmias are in the picture. Beginning with an overview on some of the events that marked the oscillations in the medical interest for the autonomic nervous system, our text explores specific areas, including experimental and clinical work focused on understanding the different roles of tonic and reflex sympathetic and vagal activity. The role of the baroreceptors, not just for the direct control of circulation but also because of the clinical value of interpreting alterations (spontaneous or induced) in their function, is discussed. The importance of the autonomic nervous system for gaining insights on risk stratification and for providing specific antiarrhythmic protection is also considered. Examples are the interventions to decrease sympathetic activity and/or to increase vagal activity. The non-invasive analysis of the RR and QT intervals provides additional information. The three of us have collaborated in several studies and each of us contributes with very specific and independent areas of expertise. Here, we have focused on those areas to which we have directly contributed and hence speak with personal experience. This is not an attempt to provide a neutral and general overview on the autonomic nervous system; rather, it represents our effort to share and provide the readers with our own personal views matured after many years of research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa La Rovere
- Department of Cardiology, IRCCS Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri, Montescano (Pavia), Italy
| | - Alberto Porta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.,Department of Cardiothoracic, Vascular Anesthesia and Intensive Care, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, Milan, Italy
| | - Peter J Schwartz
- Center for Cardiac Arrhythmias of Genetic Origin and Laboratory of Cardiovascular Genetics, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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Wang Y, Yu L, Po SS. Ablation of Neuroaxial in Patients with Ventricular Tachycardia. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2020; 11:625-634. [PMID: 31706470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Ventricular tachycardia (VT) remains a common cause of sudden cardiac death. It is widely accepted that VTs are strongly associated with autonomic imbalance with reduced vagal and increased sympathetic activities. Pharmacologic therapy remains the first-line therapy, but antiarrhythmic agents may not be effective or carry significant side effects. Sympathetic denervation is an emerging therapy to prevent or treat VTs by rebalancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. This article focuses on the role of sympathetic activation in VT, and the mapping and ablation of sympathetic nervous system in patients with VT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhong Wang
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, No. 9 ZhangZhiDong Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Lilei Yu
- Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, No. 9 ZhangZhiDong Street, Wuchang District, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Sunny S Po
- Department of Medicine, Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
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7
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Risk factors for primary ventricular fibrillation during a first myocardial infarction: Clinical findings from PREDESTINATION (PRimary vEntricular fibrillation and suDden dEath during firST myocardIal iNfArcTION). Int J Cardiol 2020; 302:164-170. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2019.10.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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8
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Kulkarni K, Merchant FM, Kassab MB, Sana F, Moazzami K, Sayadi O, Singh JP, Heist EK, Armoundas AA. Cardiac Alternans: Mechanisms and Clinical Utility in Arrhythmia Prevention. J Am Heart Assoc 2019; 8:e013750. [PMID: 31617437 PMCID: PMC6898836 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.119.013750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Kulkarni
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | | | - Mohamad B. Kassab
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - Furrukh Sana
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - Kasra Moazzami
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - Omid Sayadi
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - Jagmeet P. Singh
- Cardiology DivisionCardiac Arrhythmia ServiceMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - E. Kevin Heist
- Cardiology DivisionCardiac Arrhythmia ServiceMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
| | - Antonis A. Armoundas
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMA
- Institute for Medical Engineering and ScienceMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMA
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9
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The autonomic nervous system and cardiac arrhythmias: current concepts and emerging therapies. Nat Rev Cardiol 2019; 16:707-726. [DOI: 10.1038/s41569-019-0221-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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10
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Asymmetric sympathetic output: The dorsomedial hypothalamus as a potential link between emotional stress and cardiac arrhythmias. Auton Neurosci 2017; 207:22-27. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2016] [Revised: 01/03/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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11
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Jamali HK, Waqar F, Gerson MC. Cardiac autonomic innervation. J Nucl Cardiol 2017; 24:1558-1570. [PMID: 27844333 DOI: 10.1007/s12350-016-0725-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The autonomic nervous system plays a key role in regulating changes in the cardiovascular system and its adaptation to various human body functions. The sympathetic arm of the autonomic nervous system is associated with the fight and flight response, while the parasympathetic division is responsible for the restorative effects on heart rate, blood pressure, and contractility. Disorders involving these two divisions can lead to, and are seen as, a manifestation of most common cardiovascular disorders. Over the last few decades, extensive research has been performed establishing imaging techniques to quantify the autonomic dysfunction associated with various cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, several techniques have been tested with variable success in modulating the cardiac autonomic nervous system as treatment for these disorders. In this review, we summarize basic anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the cardiac autonomic nervous system including adrenergic receptors. We have also discussed several imaging modalities available to aid in diagnosis of cardiac autonomic dysfunction and autonomic modulation techniques, including pharmacologic and device-based therapies, that have been or are being tested currently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hina K Jamali
- Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670542, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Fahad Waqar
- Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670542, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Myron C Gerson
- Division of Cardiovascular Health and Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, P.O. Box 670542, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
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12
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Effect of Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia on Ventricular Excitability in a Porcine Model. Anesthesiology 2017; 126:1096-1106. [PMID: 28358748 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000001613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Imbalances in the autonomic nervous system, namely, excessive sympathoexcitation, contribute to ventricular tachyarrhythmias. While thoracic epidural anesthesia clinically suppresses ventricular tachyarrhythmias, its effects on global and regional ventricular electrophysiology and electrical wave stability have not been fully characterized. The authors hypothesized that thoracic epidural anesthesia attenuates myocardial excitability and the proarrhythmic effects of sympathetic hyperactivity. METHODS Yorkshire pigs (n = 15) had an epidural catheter inserted (T1 to T4) and a 56-electrode sock placed on the heart. Myocardial excitability was measured by activation recovery interval, dispersion of repolarization, and action potential duration restitution at baseline and during programed ventricular extrastimulation or left stellate ganglion stimulation, before and 30 min after thoracic epidural anesthesia (0.25% bupivacaine). RESULTS After thoracic epidural anesthesia infusion, there was no change in baseline activation recovery interval or dispersion of repolarization. During programmed ventricular extrastimulation, thoracic epidural anesthesia decreased the maximum slope of ventricular electrical restitution (0.70 ± 0.24 vs. 0.89 ± 0.24; P = 0.021) reflecting improved electrical wave stability. Thoracic epidural anesthesia also reduced myocardial excitability during left stellate ganglion stimulation-induced sympathoexcitation through attenuated shortening of activation recovery interval (-7 ± 4% vs. -4 ± 3%; P = 0.001), suppression of the increase in dispersion of repolarization (313 ± 293% vs. 185 ± 234%; P = 0.029), and reduction in sympathovagal imbalance as measured by heart rate variability. CONCLUSIONS Our study describes the electrophysiologic mechanisms underlying antiarrhythmic effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia during sympathetic hyperactivity. Thoracic epidural anesthesia attenuates ventricular myocardial excitability and induces electrical wave stability through its effects on activation recovery interval, dispersion of repolarization, and the action potential duration restitution slope.
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Ali R, Ciccone J, Tseng V. Cervical sympathetic blockade for the management of electrical storm. J Clin Anesth 2017; 36:47-50. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2016.07.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Revised: 07/02/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Cardiac Sympathetic Nerve Sprouting and Susceptibility to Ventricular Arrhythmias after Myocardial Infarction. Cardiol Res Pract 2015; 2015:698368. [PMID: 26793403 PMCID: PMC4697091 DOI: 10.1155/2015/698368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 12/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Ventricular arrhythmogenesis is thought to be a common cause of sudden cardiac death following myocardial infarction (MI). Nerve remodeling as a result of MI is known to be an important genesis of life-threatening arrhythmias. It is hypothesized that neural modulation might serve as a therapeutic option of malignant arrhythmias. In fact, left stellectomy or β-blocker therapy is shown to be effective in the prevention of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), and sudden cardiac death (SCD) after MI both in patients and in animal models. Results from decades of research already evidenced a positive relationship between abnormal nerve density and ventricular arrhythmias after MI. In this review, we summarized the molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac sympathetic rejuvenation and mechanisms related to sympathetic hyperinnervation and arrhythmogenesis after MI and analyzed the potential therapeutic implications of nerve sprouting modification for ventricular arrhythmias and SCD control.
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Yamakawa K, So EL, Rajendran PS, Hoang JD, Makkar N, Mahajan A, Shivkumar K, Vaseghi M. Electrophysiological effects of right and left vagal nerve stimulation on the ventricular myocardium. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2014; 307:H722-31. [PMID: 25015962 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00279.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has been proposed as a cardioprotective intervention. However, regional ventricular electrophysiological effects of VNS are not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of right and left VNS on electrophysiological properties of the ventricles and hemodynamic parameters. In Yorkshire pigs, a 56-electrode sock was used for epicardial (n = 12) activation recovery interval (ARI) recordings and a 64-electrode catheter for endocardial (n = 9) ARI recordings at baseline and during VNS. Hemodynamic recordings were obtained using a conductance catheter. Right and left VNS decreased heart rate (84 ± 5 to 71 ± 5 beats/min and 84 ± 4 to 73 ± 5 beats/min), left ventricular pressure (89 ± 9 to 77 ± 9 mmHg and 91 ± 9 to 83 ± 9 mmHg), and dP/dtmax (1,660 ± 154 to 1,490 ± 160 mmHg/s and 1,595 ± 155 to 1,416 ± 134 mmHg/s) and prolonged ARI (327 ± 18 to 350 ± 23 ms and 327 ± 16 to 347 ± 21 ms, P < 0.05 vs. baseline for all parameters and P = not significant for right VNS vs. left VNS). No anterior-posterior-lateral regional differences in the prolongation of ARI during right or left VNS were found. However, endocardial ARI prolonged more than epicardial ARI, and apical ARI prolonged more than basal ARI during both right and left VNS. Changes in dP/dtmax showed the strongest correlation with ventricular ARI effects (R(2) = 0.81, P < 0.0001) than either heart rate (R(2) = 0.58, P < 0.01) or left ventricular pressure (R(2) = 0.52, P < 0.05). Therefore, right and left VNS have similar effects on ventricular ARI, in contrast to sympathetic stimulation, which shows regional differences. The decrease in inotropy correlates best with ventricular electrophysiological effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro Yamakawa
- Department of Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Eileen L So
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Pradeep S Rajendran
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; UCLA Neurocardiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Jonathan D Hoang
- Department of Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Nupur Makkar
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California
| | - Aman Mahajan
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; UCLA Neurocardiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California; and Department of Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California
| | - Kalyanam Shivkumar
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; UCLA Neurocardiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California; and
| | - Marmar Vaseghi
- University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; UCLA Neurocardiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California; and
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Merchant FM, Sayadi O, Moazzami K, Puppala D, Armoundas AA. T-wave alternans as an arrhythmic risk stratifier: state of the art. Curr Cardiol Rep 2014; 15:398. [PMID: 23881581 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-013-0398-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Microvolt level T-wave alternans (MTWA), a phenomenon of beat-to-beat variability in the repolarization phase of the ventricles, has been closely associated with an increased risk of ventricular tachyarrhythmic events (VTE) and sudden cardiac death (SCD) during medium- and long-term follow-up. Recent observations also suggest that heightened MTWA magnitude may be closely associated with short-term risk of impending VTE. At the subcellular and cellular level, perturbations in calcium transport processes likely play a primary role in the genesis of alternans, which then secondarily lead to alternans of action potential morphology and duration (APD). As such, MTWA may play a role not only in risk stratification but also more fundamentally in the pathogenesis of VTE. In this paper, we outline recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of MTWA and also the utility of T-wave alternans testing for clinical risk stratification. We also highlight emerging clinical applications for MTWA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faisal M Merchant
- Cardiology Division, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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17
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De Ferrari GM, Schwartz PJ. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation in patients with heart failure: a new indication for an old intervention? J Cardiovasc Transl Res 2014; 7:338-46. [PMID: 24482077 DOI: 10.1007/s12265-014-9541-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Heart failure (HF) is characterized by an autonomic imbalance with withdrawal of vagal activity and increased sympathetic activity. Novel non-pharmacological approaches to HF aimed at increasing vagal activity are being proposed. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) has been shown to modify favorably the outcome of several disorders characterized by life-threatening arrhythmias triggered by increased sympathetic activity. The present manuscript discusses the rationale and the limited experimental and clinical experience suggesting a potential role for LCSD in the treatment of patients with advanced heart failure. Possible future clinical applications of LCSD may include HF patients who are intolerant to β-adrenergic blockade, HF patients who have frequent implantable cardioverter-defibrillator shocks, and HF patients in countries where the likelihood of receiving a device is limited, but the capability to perform a one in a lifetime procedure is present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaetano M De Ferrari
- Department of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy
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18
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Vaseghi M, Yamakawa K, Sinha A, So EL, Zhou W, Ajijola OA, Lux RL, Laks M, Shivkumar K, Mahajan A. Modulation of regional dispersion of repolarization and T-peak to T-end interval by the right and left stellate ganglia. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2013; 305:H1020-30. [PMID: 23893168 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00056.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Left stellate or right stellate ganglion stimulation (LGSG or RSGS, respectively) is associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias; however, the electrophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. We assessed 1) regional dispersion of myocardial repolarization during RSGS and LSGS and 2) regional electrophysiological mechanisms underlying T-wave changes, including T-peak to T-end (Tp-e) interval, which are associated with ventricular tachyarrhythmia/ventricular fibrillation. In 10 pigs, a 56-electrode sock was placed around the heart, and both stellate ganglia were exposed. Unipolar electrograms, to asses activation recovery interval (ARI) and repolarization time (RT), and 12-lead ECG were recorded before and during RSGS and LSGS. Both LSGS and RSGS increased dispersion of repolarization; with LSGS, the greatest regional dispersion occurred on the left ventricular (LV) anterior wall and LV apex, whereas with RSGS, the greatest regional dispersion occurred on the right ventricular posterior wall. Baseline, LSGS, and RSGS dispersion correlated with Tp-e. The increase in RT dispersion, which was due to an increase in ARI dispersion, correlated with the increase in Tp-e intervals (R(2) = 0.92 LSGS; and R(2) = 0.96 RSGS). During LSGS, the ARIs and RTs on the lateral and posterior walls were shorter than the anterior LV wall (P < 0.01) and on the apex versus base (P < 0.05), explaining the T-wave vector shift posteriorly/inferiorly. RSGS caused greater ARI and RT shortening on anterior versus lateral or posterior walls (P < 0.01) and on base versus apex (P < 0.05), explaining the T-wave vector shift anteriorly/superiorly. LSGS and RSGS cause differential effects on regional myocardial repolarization, explaining the ECG T-wave morphology. Sympathetic stimulation, in line with its proarrhythmic effects, increases Tp-e interval, which correlates with increases in myocardial dispersion of repolarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marmar Vaseghi
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California
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Vaseghi M, Zhou W, Shi J, Ajijola OA, Hadaya J, Shivkumar K, Mahajan A. Sympathetic innervation of the anterior left ventricular wall by the right and left stellate ganglia. Heart Rhythm 2012; 9:1303-9. [PMID: 22465457 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2012.03.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sympathetic nervous system is thought to play a role in the genesis of ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT). Left and added right cardiac sympathectomy have been shown to reduce the burden of arrhythmias in the setting of a VT storm. However, the contribution of the right stellate ganglion (RSG) and the left stellate ganglion (LSG) to the innervation of the anterior left ventricular (LV) wall is not well understood. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the innervation of the anterior LV wall by the LSG and the RSG. METHODS The heart and stellate ganglia were exposed via sternotomy in pigs with normal hearts (n = 8). A 20-electrode catheter was placed on the anterior LV wall to record activation recovery interval (ARI), a surrogate measure of action potential duration. A microdialysis catheter was inserted in a similar location to sample interstitial norepinephrine (NE) content. ARI and NE measurements were recorded at baseline and during LSG and RSG stimulation. RESULTS LSG stimulation shortened ARI by 17.1% ± 10.5% (mean ± standard error), while RSG stimulation shortened ARI by 42.1% ± 15.7%, P = .04 (LSG vs RSG). LSG stimulation increased interstitial NE levels by 200% ± 65%, while RSG stimulation increased the NE content by 260% ± 40% (P = .012). LSG stimulation increased dispersion in ARI from 376.0 ± 83.7 ms(2) to 1242.5 ± 566 ms(2) (P = .03) and caused ventricular fibrillation in 2 pigs. During RSG stimulation, dispersion increased from 419 ± 65.8 to 474.8 ± 81 ms(2) (P = .4). CONCLUSIONS Both the LSG and the RSG provide significant innervation to the anterior LV wall as demonstrated by both ARI shortening and NE concentrations. LSG stimulation significantly increases ARI dispersion. This study provides mechanistic insight into the beneficial effects of left sympathectomy and the additional role of right sympathectomy in reducing arrhythmias in patients with anterior myocardial scars and VT storm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marmar Vaseghi
- UCLA Cardiac Arrhythmia Center, UCLA Health System, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Billman GE. Cardiac autonomic neural remodeling and susceptibility to sudden cardiac death: effect of endurance exercise training. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2009; 297:H1171-93. [PMID: 19684184 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00534.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death resulting from ventricular tachyarrhythmias remains the leading cause of death in industrially developed countries, accounting for between 300,000 and 500,000 deaths each year in the United States. Yet, despite the enormity of this problem, both the identification of factors contributing to ventricular fibrillation as well as the development of safe and effective antiarrhythmic agents remain elusive. Subnormal cardiac parasympathetic regulation coupled with an elevated cardiac sympathetic activation may allow for the formation of malignant ventricular arrhythmias. In particular, myocardial infarction can reduce cardiac parasympathetic regulation and alter beta-adrenoceptor subtype expression enhancing beta(2)-adrenoceptor sensitivity that can lead to intracellular calcium dysregulation and arrhythmias. As such, myocardial infarction can induce a remodeling of cardiac autonomic regulation that may be required to maintain cardiac pump function. If alterations in cardiac autonomic regulation play an important role in the genesis of life-threatening arrhythmias, then one would predict that interventions designed to either augment parasympathetic activity and/or reduce cardiac adrenergic activity would also protect against ventricular fibrillation. Recently, studies using a canine model of sudden death demonstrate that endurance exercise training (treadmill running) enhanced cardiac parasympathetic regulation (increased heart rate variability), restored a more normal beta-adrenoceptor balance (i.e., reduced beta(2)-adrenoceptor sensitivity and expression), and protected against ventricular fibrillation induced by acute myocardial ischemia. Thus exercise training may reverse the autonomic neural remodeling induced by myocardial infarction and thereby enhance the electrical stability of the heart in individuals shown to be at an increased risk for sudden cardiac death.
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Affiliation(s)
- George E Billman
- Dept of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State Univ, Columbus, OH 43210-1218, USA.
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Docimo S, Piccolo C, Van Arsdale D, Elkowitz DE. Pathology-dependent histological changes of the left stellate Ganglia: a cadaveric study. CLINICAL MEDICINE. PATHOLOGY 2008; 1:105-13. [PMID: 21876659 PMCID: PMC3159999 DOI: 10.4137/cpath.s979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Sympathetic hyperinnervation due to nerve sprouting generated by the left stellate ganglion has been noted following cardiopulmonary disease processes. Sympathetic hyperinnervation seems to be limited to cardiopulmonary diseases in the experimental and clinical settings. However, histological changes of the left stellate ganglion following cardiopulmonary diseases in humans have vet to be observed. This study intends to investigate the histological changes of cadaveric sympathetic nervous tissue of left stellate ganglia (n = 32) and their relationship to noted pathology. Our study found fibrotic changes of the left stellate ganglion are not significantly dependent upon pathological processes, however, changes in the number of nerve cell bodies seems to be pathology dependent. A relationship between respiratory (mean = 33.3; P = 0.023) and cardiovascular pathologies (mean = 29.6; P = 0.199) and an increase in nerve cell bodies of the left stellate ganglion was noted when compared to other pathologies (mean = 25.7). The link between cardiopulmonary disease and sympathetic hyperinnervation may be the increase in the number of nerve cell bodies of the left stellate ganglion. Our results are clinically significant considering sympathetic hyperinnervation is associated with arrythmogenesis and an increase in morbidity and mortality in patients with pulmonary disease. Such findings may warrant investigation into the use of ganglion blockade in cardiopulmonary diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Docimo
- Academic Medicine Fellow, Department of Pathology, New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, NY
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Hatzinikolaou-Kotsakou E, Tziakas D, Hotidis A, Stakos D, Floros D, Mavridis A, Papanas N, Chalikias G, Maltezos E, Hatseras DI. Could sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in the early phase of a prime acute myocardial infarction affect patient outcome? J Electrocardiol 2007; 40:72-7. [PMID: 17070829 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2006.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2005] [Accepted: 02/08/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (SMVT) in the course of a prime acute myocardial infarction is not a common arrhythmia and its prognostic significance has not been specifically elucidated. The aim of the study was to estimate the prognostic implications of the occurrence of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia in the early phase (<72 h) of a prime acute myocardial infarction. METHODS We studied 690 consecutive patients admitted to the coronary care unit with a diagnosis of a prime myocardial infarction. SMVT was observed in 18 (2.6%) patients and we followed these patients for establishing the prognostic value of the arrhythmia according to the clinical characteristics. RESULTS Patients with SMVT had a more extensive myocardial infarction based on the peak of the CK-MB isoenzyme activity (480+/-290 IU/L, vs 270+/-190 IU/L, P < .01), and higher mortality rate (40% vs 9%, P < .001). The independent predictors of SMVT were CK-MB (odds ratio [OR] 12.4), presence of complex ventricular arrhythmias (OR = 5.7), a wide QRS complex > or =130 milliseconds (OR = 4.8) and Killip class (OR = 4.8). The SMVT was itself an independent predictor of mortality (OR = 5.0). Compared with patients with ventricular fibrillation or polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, those with SMVT had a higher CK-MB activity, higher rate of wide QRS > or =130 milliseconds (33% vs 8%, P < .002), had a worse hemodynamic condition (Killip class >I:58% vs 23%, P < .04) and higher recurrence rate of ischemic events (68% vs 16%, P < .05). During the one year follow-up period, 4 patients (36.3%) of the 11 survivors from those with SMVT died of cardiac related causes. CONCLUSIONS SMVT during the first 72 h of a prime myocardial infarction is an index of a larger healing myocardium with acute very complexed electrophysiological changes and it is an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality and a prognostic factor of a poor one year outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hatzinikolaou-Kotsakou
- Academic Cardiology Department, Academic General Hospital Alexandroupolis, Demokritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
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Chen LS, Zhou S, Fishbein MC, Chen PS. New Perspectives on the Role of Autonomic Nervous System in the Genesis of Arrhythmias. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2007; 18:123-7. [PMID: 16911576 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.2006.00590.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with coronary artery diseases and myocardial infarction (MI). There is a circadian variation of the frequency of SCD. Beta-blocker therapy significantly reduces the incidence of SCD after MI. These clinical observations suggest a close association between ventricular arrhythmia and sympathetic activity in patients with MI. Following injury, peripheral nerves undergo Wallerian degeneration, which may be followed by neurilemma cell proliferation and axonal regeneration (nerve sprouting), resulting in sympathetic hyperinnervation. It is possible that the increased innervation after myocardial injury may result in increased sympathetic nerve density, which in turn increases the propensity for cardiac arrhythmia. While this Nerve Sprouting Hypothesis seemed to be intuitive, there was no experimental proof of a causal link between sympathetic nerve sprouting and arrhythmogenesis. We therefore performed several studies to determine the relationship between nerve sprouting and cardiac arrhythmia. We also performed direct sympathetic nerve recording in an animal model of SCD. We found that cardiac sympathetic nerves are highly plastic. In addition to MI and rapid pacing, nerve sprouting and heterogeneous sympathetic hyperinnervation may also be induced by radiofrequency ablation, hypercholesterolemia, and stem cells transplantation. The coexistence of denervated and hyperinnervated area in the diseased myocardium could result in increased electrophysiological heterogeneity during sympathetic activation, leading to ventricular arrhythmia and SCD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan S Chen
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90027, USA.
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Conrath CE, Opthof T. Ventricular repolarization: An overview of (patho)physiology, sympathetic effects and genetic aspects. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2006; 92:269-307. [PMID: 16023179 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2005.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Most textbook knowledge on ventricular repolarization is based on animal data rather than on data from the in vivo human heart. Yet, these data have been extrapolated to the human heart, often without an appropriate caveat. Here, we review multiple aspects of repolarization, from basic membrane currents to cellular aspects including extrinsic factors such as the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. We critically discuss some mechanistic aspects of the genesis of the T-wave of the ECG in the human heart. Obviously, the T-wave results from the summation of repolarization all over the heart. The T-wave in a local electrogram ideally reflects local repolarization. The repolarization moment is composed of the moment of local activation plus local action potential duration (APD) at 90% repolarization (APD90). The duration of the latter largely depends on the balance between L-type Ca2+ current and the delayed rectifier currents. Generally speaking, there is an inverse relationship between local activation time and local APD90, leading to less dispersion in repolarization moments than in activation moments or in APD90. In transmural direction, the time needed for activation from endocardium toward epicardium has been considered to be overcompensated by shorter APD90 at the epicardium, leading to the earliest repolarization at the subepicardium. In addition, mid-myocardial cells would display the latest repolarization moments. The sparse human data available, however, do not show any transmural dispersion in repolarization moment. Also, the effect of adrenergic stimulation on APD90 has been studied mainly in animals. Again, sparse human data suggest that the effect of adrenergic stimulation is different in the human heart compared to many other mammalian hearts. Finally, aspects of the long QT syndrome are discussed, because this intrinsic genetic disease results from repolarization disorders with extrinsic aspects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chantal E Conrath
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel J Janse
- Academic Medical Center, Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiel J Janse
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Hamaad A, Lip GYH, MacFadyen RJ. Unheralded sudden cardiac death: do autonomic tone and thrombosis interact as key factors in aetiology? Ann Med 2003; 35:592-604. [PMID: 14708969 DOI: 10.1080/07853890310016351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Unheralded sudden cardiac death is a personal and family tragedy that continues to elude research-based progress on aetiology or prevention. Instinctive links between autonomic imbalance, sympathetic activation and serious arrhythmia are longstanding and backed by many observational reports. However the role of the more familiar mechanisms of coronary occlusion and thrombus formation are underplayed. Sympathetic overactivity may also mediate sudden death through precipitation of vasospasm; platelet activation and inhibition of endogenous fibrinolysis as well as the propagation of arrhythmia. The integration of autonomic, thrombotic and vascular tone may be the key to better understanding of the individual process of unheralded sudden cardiac death. In this review we analyse the evidence for this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Hamaad
- University Department of Medicine, City Hospital, Dudley Road, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK
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Abstract
In spite of recent advances in secondary prevention, sudden cardiac death has remained a major public health problem as the majority of fatalities occur in subjects without a history of severe heart disease. Abrupt rupture of a vulnerable plaque resulting in thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery is a common cause of sudden death in this population. Coronary occlusion does not, however, invariably lead to sudden death but may cause acute myocardial infarction or exacerbation of chest pain. Extensive studies in experimental animals and increasing clinical evidence indicate that autonomic nervous activity has a significant role in modifying the clinical outcome. Sympathetic hyperactivity favours the genesis of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias while vagal activation exerts an antifibrillatory effect. Strong afferent stimuli from the ischaemic myocardium impair arterial baroreflex and may lead to dangerous haemodynamic instability. Studies with a human angioplasty model have shown that there is wide interindividual variation in the type and severity of autonomic reactions during the early phase of abrupt coronary occlusion, a critical period for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The site of the occlusion is not a significant determinant of the reactions, whereas the severity of a coronary stenosis, adaptation or ischaemic preconditioning, beta-blockade and gender seem to affect the autonomic reactions and occurrence of complex ventricular arrhythmias. Clinical and angiographic factors are, however, poor predictors of autonomic reactions in an individual patient. Recent studies have documented a hereditary component for autonomic function, and genetic factors may also modify the clinical manifestations of acute coronary occlusion.
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Airaksinen KE, Ylitalo A, Niemelä MJ, Tahvanainen KU, Huikuri HV. Heart rate variability and occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias during balloon occlusion of a major coronary artery. Am J Cardiol 1999; 83:1000-5. [PMID: 10190509 DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9149(99)00004-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Experimental studies suggest that autonomic mechanisms are important in the genesis of ischemia-induced malignant ventricular arrhythmias, but the role of the autonomic nervous system in human arrhythmogenesis is not well known. To assess whether heart rate variability (HRV) predicts the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias during acute coronary artery occlusion, we performed continuous electrocardiographic, heart rate, and blood pressure recordings before and during a 2-minute balloon occlusion of a stenotic coronary artery in 252 patients with no baseline ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). The ranges of nonspecific responses in heart rate and blood pressure were determined by analyzing a control group of 19 patients with no ischemia during a 2-minute balloon inflation in a totally occluded coronary artery. Balloon occlusion of a coronary artery was stopped because of complex, i.e., bigeminal or repetitive, VPCs in 14 patients, and solitary (<5) VPCs were observed in an additional 19 patients. During coronary occlusion, HRV increased (p <0.001) and heart rate decreased (p <0.05) in patients with no VPCs, whereas an opposite tendency to reduction in HRV (p = 0.08) was observed in patients with complex VPCs. Complex VPCs were observed in 5 (42%) of the 12 patients with a significant coronary occlusion-induced decrease in HRV, in 7 (3.5%) of 200 patients with no change in HRV, but in none of the 40 patients with a significant increase in HRV (p <0.001). Baseline HRV did not predict the occurrence of VPCs during coronary occlusion. Logistic regression analysis identified the decrease in HRV (p <0.001) to be the only independent predictor of complex VPCs. In conclusion, coronary occlusion-induced increase in HRV seems to protect against occurrence of complex ventricular arrhythmias during the early phase of abrupt coronary occlusion, suggesting that vagal activation may modify the outcome of acute coronary events in patients with coronary artery disease.
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Abstract
This review of accumulated knowledge about the long QT syndromes begins with an iteration of the original papers and then proceeds to a broader historic reflection that includes my personal work as well as many studies by others. Next come reflections upon the current status of knowledge on the subject, combined with comments about remaining challenges and questions grouped as follows: (1) morphologic abnormalities of the cardiac conduction system and their pathophysiologic significance in the long QT syndromes; (2) cardioneuropathy in the pathogenesis of long QT syndromes; (3) variability of QT prolongation, including consideration of peripheral and central dysautonomic conditions with certain diagnostic and therapeutic implications; (4) some caveats about the popular use of left cervical sympathectomy to treat symptomatic individuals with long QT syndrome, emphasizing hazards for future electrical instability of the heart; (5) consideration of genetic influences in the long QT syndromes, a field holding great promise as well as fraught with many puzzling dilemmas; and (6) apoptosis and the pathogenesis of the long QT syndromes, based upon personal observations previously made with electron microscopic studies of the sinus node and now including new immunohistochemical evidence expanding the relevance of this novel view-point. These intentionally provocative presentations are made to stimulate physicians and other scientists to consider these several different perspectives in planning future studies aimed at better understanding of one of the most challenging medical entities facing cardiology today.
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Affiliation(s)
- T N James
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-0129, USA
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De Ferrari GM, Locati EH, Priori SG, Schwartz PJ. Left cardiac sympathetic denervation in long QT syndrome patients. J Interv Cardiol 1995; 8:776-81. [PMID: 10159769 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8183.1995.tb00930.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The idiopathic long QT syndrome (LQTS) is an unusual clinical disorder characterized by a prolongation of the QT interval and by syncopal episodes occurring among young subjects, most often during exercise, stress, or other conditions of increased sympathetic activity. Both an imbalance in sympathetic innervation and an intracardiac defect in membrane currents have been proposed as pathogenetic mechanisms. The latter appears substantiated by recent advances in molecular genetics showing a linkage on chromosomes 11, 3, 7, and 4, with identification of the genes for chromosomes 3 and 7. For symptomatic patients with the long QT syndrome, beta-adrenergic blockade, with efficacy in approximately 80% of patients, currently remains the therapy of first choice. For the patients who continue to suffer syncope or cardiac arrest despite beta blockade, evidence has been provided that left cardiac sympathetic denervation represents a very effective treatment. The improvement in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved may soon lead to gene specific therapy in most long QT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M De Ferrari
- Centro di Fisiologia Clinica e Ipertensione, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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Ravingerová T, Pyne NJ, Parratt JR. Ischaemic preconditioning in the rat heart: the role of G-proteins and adrenergic stimulation. Mol Cell Biochem 1995; 147:123-8. [PMID: 7494540 DOI: 10.1007/bf00944792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Since recent findings indicate the involvement of G-proteins in the mechanism of ischaemic preconditioning (PC), the present study was aimed to investigate the role of adrenergic mechanisms, such as G-proteins and stimulation of adrenergic receptors, in this phenomenon. For this purpose, isolated Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were subjected to regional ischaemia (30 min occlusion of LAD) followed by reperfusion. The effect of PC (a single 5 min occlusion/reperfusion before a long occlusion) on ischaemia- and reperfusion induced arrhythmias was studied in conjunction with an assessment of G-proteins in the myocardial tissue by means of Western blotting and ADP-ribosylation with bacterial toxins. To follow the link between G-proteins and adrenergic receptors, their stimulation by exogenous norepinephrine (NE) was applied to test whether it can mimic the effect of PC on arrhythmias. Thirty min ischaemia and subsequent reperfusion induced high incidence of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and fibrillation (VF). PC significantly reduced a total number of extrasystoles, incidence of VT and abolished VF. It was, however, insufficient to suppress reperfusion-induced sustained VF. Measurement of G-proteins revealed that PC led to a reduction of stimulatory Gs proteins, whereas inhibitory Gi proteins were increased. NE (50 nmol) introduced a manner of similar to PC (5 min infusion, 10 min normal reperfusion) reduced ischaemic arrhythmias in the same way, as PC. In addition, in NE-pretreated hearts reperfusion induced mostly transient VF, which was spontaneously reverted to normal sinus rhythm. A transient increase in heart rate and perfusion pressure during NE infusion completely waned before the onset of ischaemia, indicating that antiarrhythmic effect was not related to haemodynamic changes and to conditions of myocardial perfusion. CONCLUSION antiarrhythmic effect of PC may be mediated by a stimulation of adrenergic receptors coupled to appropriate G-proteins. Consequently, the inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity and reduction in cAMP level, as well as the activation of protein kinase C may be considered as two possible pathways leading to a final response.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Ravingerová
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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Vanoli E, Hull SS, Foreman RD, Ferrari A, Schwartz PJ. Alpha 1-adrenergic blockade and sudden cardiac death. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 1994; 5:76-89. [PMID: 7910510 DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1994.tb01116.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The primary goal of the present study was to test whether selective pharmacologic blockade of alpha 1 receptors, and specifically of the subtype alpha 1a, could prevent ventricular fibrillation (VF) during acute myocardial ischemia. BACKGROUND The development of new autonomic interventions is of clinical interest in view of the failure of traditional antiarrhythmic drugs to prevent sudden death. Experimental evidence indicates that alpha 1 receptors, and in particular the subtype alpha 1a, may be involved in the genesis of malignant arrhythmias during acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Despite this evidence, questions have been raised about the actual antifibrillatory efficacy of alpha-adrenergic blockade in the acutely ischemic myocardium. The effects of prazosin and of abanoquil (UK 52,046), a highly selective alpha 1a receptor blocker, were tested and compared with propranolol in a conscious animal preparation for sudden death. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten dogs with a 1-month-old anterior wall myocardial infarction were studied. These dogs had all developed, in control conditions, VF during a 2-minute occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery while exercising (n = 9) or lying on the table (n = 1). Afterwards, the dogs underwent additional tests with the following intravenously administered drugs: abanoquil (n = 10; 1 micrograms/kg), prazosin (n = 9; 0.1 mg/kg), and propranolol (n = 10; 1 mg/kg). Internal control analysis was used. All dogs tested had recurrence of VF with both alpha-adrenergic blockers. Propranolol significantly reduced heart rate during ischemia and prevented VF in 5 of 10 dogs tested (P < 0.05). When heart rate was kept constant by atrial pacing (n = 3), 2 of the 3 animals remained protected by propranolol. Just prior to onset of VF, heart rate was not significantly different in the control and in the abanoquil tests (237 +/- 45 and 253 +/- 34 beats/min, respectively), whereas it was higher (P < 0.05) with prazosin (288 +/- 40 beats/min). CONCLUSIONS Alpha 1 and alpha 1a receptor blockers do not prevent VF secondary to acute myocardial ischemia in the presence of elevated sympathetic activity and heart rate. In the same setting, beta-adrenergic blockade prevents the reflex heart rate increase due to ischemia and provides a significant protection.
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MESH Headings
- Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists/administration & dosage
- Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists/pharmacology
- Aminoquinolines/administration & dosage
- Aminoquinolines/pharmacology
- Animals
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/physiopathology
- Arrhythmias, Cardiac/prevention & control
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/etiology
- Death, Sudden, Cardiac/prevention & control
- Dogs
- Heart Rate/drug effects
- Heart Rate/physiology
- Hemodynamics
- Injections, Intravenous
- Myocardial Ischemia/complications
- Myocardial Ischemia/physiopathology
- Physical Exertion/physiology
- Prazosin/administration & dosage
- Prazosin/pharmacology
- Propranolol/administration & dosage
- Propranolol/pharmacology
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/drug effects
- Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/physiology
- Tetrahydroisoquinolines
- Time Factors
- Ventricular Fibrillation/etiology
- Ventricular Fibrillation/physiopathology
- Ventricular Fibrillation/prevention & control
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Affiliation(s)
- E Vanoli
- Istituto di Clinica Medica Generale e Terapia Medica, Università degli Studi di Milano, Italy
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Nelson SD, Coyne K. Electrophysiologic effects of selective B1 adrenergic stimulation in the late phase of myocardial infarct healing. Int J Cardiol 1992; 36:95-102. [PMID: 1428258 DOI: 10.1016/0167-5273(92)90113-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Nonspecific adrenergic stimulation plays an important role in the genesis of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the postinfarction period. However, the role of selective B1 adrenergic stimulation in the aggravation of reentrant ventricular tachycardia is still poorly understood. The purpose of this investigation was to study the regional electrophysiologic actions and arrhythmogenic effects of the B1 adrenergic agonist dobutamine in a postinfarction canine model. Eleven dogs with 4-week-old anterior wall myocardial infarctions, chronic indwelling intramyocardial electrodes and no inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia at baseline, were studied in the closed-chest state at baseline (control) and during intravenous infusion of dobutamine 10 micrograms/kg/min. Dobutamine caused reductions in the effective and absolute refractory periods in the infarct, peri-infarct and noninfarcted regions of the myocardium which were similar in magnitude at each region. With dobutamine, only 1 dog had inducible sustained ventricular tachycardia (polymorphic). No spontaneous arrhythmias were seen. In summary, selective B1 adrenergic stimulation alone does not cause dispersion of myocardial refractoriness and does not cause significant proarrhythmia in the chronically infarcted canine heart. Additional metabolic, electrolyte or ischemic abnormalities may be required for B1 adrenergic stimulation to aggravate arrhythmias in this model.
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Affiliation(s)
- S D Nelson
- Division of Cardiology, Ohio State University, Columbus
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37
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SCHWARTZ PETERJ, MOTOLESE MARIO, POLLAVINI GIORGIO, LOTTO ANTONIO, RUBERTI UGO, TRAZZI RINALDO, BARTORELLI CESARE, ZANCHETTI ALBERTO, GROUP THEITALIANSUDDENDEATHPREVENTION. Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death After a First Myocardial Infarction by Pharmacologic or Surgical Antiadrenergic Interventions. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 1992. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1992.tb01090.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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STEVENSON WILLIAMG. Cardiac Sympathectomy to Prevent Sudden Death. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 1992. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1992.tb01091.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Gantenberg NS, Hageman GR. Enhanced induction of ventricular arrhythmias during sympathetic stimulation before and during coronary artery occlusion. Int J Cardiol 1992; 34:75-83. [PMID: 1548112 DOI: 10.1016/0167-5273(92)90085-h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
We used programmed electrical stimulation to examine the arrhythmogenic influence of the sympathetic nervous system before and during coronary artery occlusion. In 29 anesthetized dogs the left and/or right stellate ganglia were stimulated at 2-8 hertz. Program-induced ventricular arrhythmias included single premature ventricular depolarizations, doublets, triplets, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation. Both the number of extrastimuli and the duration of coronary occlusion significantly influenced ventricular arrhythmia induction. After pooling the number of extrastimuli, type of artery occluded, and the duration of occlusion, the influences of unilateral and bilateral stellate stimulations were evaluated. The incidence of induced ventricular arrhythmias was 54% during control conditions (prior to sympathetic stimulation). Right stellate stimulation had no influence on arrhythmogenesis, causing ventricular arrhythmia induction in 52% (NS) of the trials. Left stellate stimulation resulted in increased ventricular arrhythmias (68%; P less than 0.05) in response to programmed electrical stimulation. Bilateral stellate stimulation elevated program-induced ventricular arrhythmias (63%; P less than 0.05). The effects of the stellate stimulations on arrhythmia induction were similar during and up to 180 minutes of coronary occlusion. Thus, the arrhythmogenic influence of sympathetic stimulation was present before and during coronary artery occlusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- N S Gantenberg
- Department of Physiology, University of Alabama, Birmingham 35294-0005
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SCHWARTZ PETERJ, FOREMAN ROBERTD. Cardiac Pain, Sympathetic Afferents, and Life-Threatening Arrhythmias. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 1991. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1991.tb01360.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Effects of beta-blockade on the incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias during acute myocardial ischemia: experimental findings and clinical implications. Basic Res Cardiol 1991; 85 Suppl 1:293-303. [PMID: 1982610 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-662-11038-6_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Myocardial ischemia and infarction are the most common substrates for life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Experimental and clinical evidence suggests that enhanced activity of the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the genesis of ischemia-related arrhythmias. In animal experiments, beta-blockers display significant antifibrillatory effects during the acute phase of myocardial ischemia. Preconditions for their antifibrillatory effects are high serum- and tissue-concentrations, and absence of a significant partial agonist activity. During the delayed phase of ischemic arrhythmias which starts 6-8 h after coronary occlusion, beta-blockers gain significance as antiarrhythmic and potentially antifibrillatory drugs, if sympathetic activity is enhanced. The presently available evidence suggests that the potentially antifibrillatory effects of beta-blockers are at least one of the major mechanisms by which these drugs may decrease mortality when given prophylactically in patients after myocardial infarction. However, it remains to be explained why beta-blockers, in a great number of prospective randomized trials, have reduced the incidence of sudden death only by an average of about 30%. This may be the result of their "specific" mechanisms acting in the setting of acute myocardial ischemia with enhanced adrenergic tone, whereas in the remaining patients other mechanisms such as a chronic arrhythmogenic substrate may be operative. A clearer separation of these various mechanisms seems mandatory in order to allow a more specific "targeted" administration of beta-blockers. This is the more important since none of the available prospective studies that used antiarrhythmic agents has shown an improvement of prognosis, but, instead showed a worsening of the mortality rate.
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Hunt GB, Ross DL. Effect of isoproterenol on induction of ventricular tachyarrhythmias in the normal and infarcted canine heart. Int J Cardiol 1990; 29:155-61. [PMID: 2269535 DOI: 10.1016/0167-5273(90)90217-s] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The influence of isoproterenol on induction of ventricular arrhythmias was evaluated in 10 normal dogs and 17 dogs with experimentally induced myocardial infarction. Programmed stimulation (using up to 6 extrastimuli) was performed before and then during infusion of isoproterenol (2 micrograms/minute followed by 4 micrograms/minute). Isoproterenol facilitated induction of sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (cycle length 163 +/- 26 msec) in 5 of the 10 animals with no inducible baseline arrhythmia (P less than 0.05). Isoproterenol did not affect cycle length or the number of extrastimuli required in animals with baseline ventricular tachycardia (cycle length 158 +/- 15 msec before versus 163 +/- 17 msec during isoproterenol, P = 0.3; extrastimuli 3.8 +/- 0.6 before versus 3.8 +/- 0.4 during isoproterenol infusion, P = 0.3). Isoproterenol did not significantly facilitate induction of ventricular fibrillation in either normal dogs or those studied after production of myocardial infarction. We conclude that infusion of isoproterenol increases the incidence of inducible ventricular tachycardia in the infarcted heart, but does not facilitate the induction of ventricular fibrillation in infarcted or normal hearts, despite the use of an aggressive protocol for programmed stimulation. Isoproterenol is, therefore, a safe and useful adjunct to programmed stimulation in this setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- G B Hunt
- Cardiology Unit, Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia
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Pardini BJ, Lund DD, Schmid PG. Organization of the sympathetic postganglionic innervation of the rat heart. JOURNAL OF THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM 1989; 28:193-201. [PMID: 2628461 DOI: 10.1016/0165-1838(89)90146-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The origins and organization of cardiac sympathetic postganglionic nerves in the rat were identified in the present investigation. The retrograde tracer, Diamidino Yellow, was injected into the right or left ventricles to label somata in the sympathetic chain. Analysis of all sympathetic ganglia from superior cervical ganglion through the 10th thoracic ganglion indicated that the postganglionic innervation of the rat cardiac ventricles originates bilaterally. The majority of these somata were located in the middle and inferior cervical ganglia (middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex) (approximately 92% of all labelled cells), with lesser contributions from the superior cervical and 4th through 6th thoracic ganglia. To confirm and further quantitate these findings, the middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex was removed (MC-S ganglionectomy) bilaterally or ipsilaterally from the left or right sides, and regional cardiac norepinephrine concentration (left and right atrial appendages and left and right ventricles) was analysed 7 or 28 days later. At both times after bilateral MC-S ganglionectomy, regional cardiac norepinephrine was reduced by 89% to 100%, indicating the removal of almost all cardiac noradrenergic cells of origin and possibly fibers of passage. The results of unilateral MC-S ganglionectomy experiments indicated that the atrial appendages and the left ventricle receive bilateral innervation from the middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex. However, the left middle cervical-stellate ganglion complex appears to contribute a majority of the norepinephrine to the right ventricle. Furthermore, between 7 and 28 days after contralateral MC-S ganglionectomy, atrial appendages, but not ventricles, display significant recovery of norepinephrine content. The present data demonstrate: (1) a bilateral locus of origin of cardiac sympathetic postganglionic neurons, limited longitudinally to cervical through mid-thoracic ganglia, and (2) the ability of the cardiac postganglionic innervation to regenerate after partial denervation. These results demonstrate anatomical evidence for significant bilateral integration of cardiac sympathetic activity at the level of the sympathetic ganglion in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Pardini
- Veterans Administration Medical Center, Iowa City, IA 52246
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Corr PB, Heathers GP, Yamada KA. Mechanisms contributing to the arrhythmogenic influences of alpha 1-adrenergic stimulation in the ischemic heart. Am J Med 1989; 87:19S-25S. [PMID: 2548381 DOI: 10.1016/0002-9343(89)90109-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The majority of deaths associated with ischemic heart disease occur suddenly because of disturbances in cardiac rhythm culminating in ventricular fibrillation. Past research has focused on elucidating the biochemical membrane mechanisms responsible for the adverse electrophysiologic alterations in the ischemic heart, with major emphasis on the influence of adrenergic neural factors. It has been demonstrated that both alpha 1-and beta-adrenergic mechanisms contribute to arrhythmogenesis in the ischemic heart. In the normal heart, alpha 1-adrenergic input has very little effect on electrophysiologic indices. However, during early ischemia and reperfusion, enhanced alpha 1-adrenergic responsivity associated with a twofold reversible increase in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in vivo has been demonstrated. Likewise, in a variety of species, alpha 1-adrenergic inhibition with prazosin markedly decreases the incidence of malignant ventricular arrhythmias associated with either myocardial ischemia or subsequent reperfusion. One major manifestation of alpha 1-adrenergic receptor activation during reperfusion of ischemic myocardium is an increase in intracellular calcium ion (Ca2+). It has been demonstrated that reperfusion of ischemic myocardium increases intracellular Ca2+ in reversibly injured tissue, and that the gain in intracellular Ca2+ is prevented by alpha 1-adrenergic inhibition with hydroxyphenylethyl aminomethyl tetralone, even when administered just prior to reperfusion. Subsequently, it was demonstrated that the alpha 1-adrenergic-induced increase in mitochondrial Ca2+ contributes to the decline in mitochondrial function. These findings suggest that even single-dose intervention with alpha 1-adrenergic inhibitors may improve markedly the functional recovery and extent of ultimate necrosis in humans after coronary thrombolysis. To investigate the mechanisms responsible for the increase in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors during ischemia, we used isolated adult canine ventricular myocytes exposed to hypoxia. Thirty minutes of hypoxia at 25 degrees C or 10 minutes of hypoxia at 37 degrees C resulted in a threefold reversible increase in the density of surface alpha 1-adrenergic receptors and a threefold increase in the cellular content of long-chain acylcarnitines. Inhibition of carnitine acyltransferase I abolished not only the accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines during hypoxia but also the increase in alpha 1-adrenergic receptors. Exposure of normoxic myocytes to exogenous long-chain acylcarnitines (1 mumol/liter) for 10 minutes also increased alpha 1-adrenergic receptor number. These findings indicate that the sarcolemmal accumulation of long-cha
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Affiliation(s)
- P B Corr
- Cardiovascular Division, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110
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Cinca J, Bardaji A, Salas-Caudevilla A. Ventricular arrhythmias and local electrograms after chronic regional denervation of the ischemic area in the pig heart. J Am Coll Cardiol 1989; 14:225-32. [PMID: 2738265 DOI: 10.1016/0735-1097(89)90078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac denervation has been proved to reduce the incidence of coronary occlusion arrhythmias in digs, but the effect of limiting the extent of sympathectomy to the ischemic area, particularly in hearts with sparse coronary collateral circulation, as in the human heart, needs further investigation. Ventricular arrhythmias and changes in epicardial direct current electrograms induced during acute left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion were recorded in 14 pigs subjected to regional denervation of the ischemic area 2 weeks before; these were compared with findings in 14 sham-operated control pigs. Regional denervation was induced by pericoronary application of phenol above the occlusion site and it was confirmed by the loss of myocardial catecholamine histofluorescence. During 35 min of ischemia, significant differences in occurrence of ventricular premature beats, ventricular tachycardia, ST segment elevation, TQ segment depression and epicardial activation delays were observed between the two groups of experiments, with lower values of each variable in the denervated hearts. Ventricular fibrillation occurred 32 times in 11 control pigs and only 15 times in eight denervated hearts. In contrast, programmed ventricular extrastimuli delivered during 35 to 50 min of ischemia induced 39 fibrillatory episodes in 13 denervated hearts and only 14 episodes in seven control pigs. Thus, denervation limited to the ischemic area in hearts with a human-like coronary artery pattern was associated with a decrease in the magnitude of early ischemic arrhythmias and electrocardiographic alterations, but the procedure was unable to prevent early induction of ventricular fibrillation.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Cinca
- Laboratorio Experimental, Unidad Coronaria, Hospital General, Ciudad Sanitaria Valle de Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain
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Affiliation(s)
- D P Zipes
- Department of Medicine, Krannert Institute of Cardiology, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
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Priori SG, Zuanetti G, Schwartz PJ. Ventricular fibrillation induced by the interaction between acute myocardial ischemia and sympathetic hyperactivity: effect of nifedipine. Am Heart J 1988; 116:37-43. [PMID: 3394631 DOI: 10.1016/0002-8703(88)90247-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Sympathetic hyperactivity plays a major role in the genesis of malignant arrhythmias during acute myocardial ischemia. An experimental model in which life-threatening arrhythmias are specifically and consistently induced by the interaction between acute myocardial ischemia and left stellate ganglion stimulation has been developed in alpha-chloralose anesthetized cats. In this preparation, drugs that share antiischemic, antiadrenergic, and specific electrophysiologic effects, such as verapamil, diltiazem, and amiodarone, were most effective. To evaluate the relative role of these different properties in mediating the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs, we used this same model to test nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker that is able to counteract the consequences of sympathetic stimulation on coronary circulation but has no electrophysiologic properties at concentrations relevant in the clinical setting. Nifedipine (15 micrograms/kg) prevented the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation in 10 of 13 animals (77%). Its efficacy was independent of changes in the peripheral hemodynamics. Plasma concentrations of nifedipine were within the therapeutic range in humans. To evaluate if this rather striking protective effect was specifically related to the prevention of the deleterious consequences of sympathetic stimulation, the effect of nifedipine on ventricular fibrillation threshold was studied in an additional group of 13 cats in the nonischemic state, during acute myocardial ischemia and during ischemia plus sympathetic stimulation. Nifedipine did not modify ventricular fibrillation threshold in nonischemic or in ischemic conditions. However, nifedipine specifically prevented the further reduction in ventricular fibrillation threshold occurring when sympathetic stimulation was superimposed on acute ischemia. These data suggest that the extension of ischemic damage by sympathetic stimulation is an important progenitor of arrhythmogenic action during acute ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Priori
- Unità di Studio delle Aritmie, Ospedale Maggiore, Milano, Italy
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Schwartz PJ, Priori SG, Vanoli E, Zaza A, Zuanetti G. Efficacy of diltiazem in two experimental feline models of sudden cardiac death. J Am Coll Cardiol 1986; 8:661-8. [PMID: 3745714 DOI: 10.1016/s0735-1097(86)80198-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The potential role of calcium entry blockers in the prevention of life-threatening arrhythmias associated with acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion is still controversial. In 98 anesthetized cats, the effect of diltiazem was examined in two experimental models. In protocol I, ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation was consistently induced by the interaction between a 2 minute coronary artery occlusion and a 30 second left stellate ganglion stimulation. After three trials under control conditions, if the same pattern of arrhythmia was induced, the drug under study was administered and three additional trials were performed. In 16 animals the administration of saline solution did not modify the pattern of arrhythmias. In contrast, diltiazem (0.1 mg/kg body weight plus 0.2 mg/kg per h) abolished both ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation that had occurred in 64 and 36%, respectively, of the cats in the control state. In protocol II, a 20 minute coronary artery occlusion was released in three groups; one served as the control group, one received diltiazem 15 minutes before occlusion and one received diltiazem 3 minutes before reperfusion. The incidence of reperfusion ventricular fibrillation was 62% (16 of 26) in the control group. It was significantly (p less than 0.05) reduced by diltiazem administered before the occlusion to 25% (4 of 16), whereas it was not affected when diltiazem was administered just before reperfusion (7 [47%] of 15). These results indicate that diltiazem exerts a striking protective effect against the malignant arrhythmias induced by the combination of acute myocardial ischemia and sympathetic hyperactivity. Diltiazem was also effective in reducing the incidence of life-threatening reperfusion arrhythmias.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Schwartz PJ. The rationale and the role of left stellectomy for the prevention of malignant arrhythmias. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1984; 427:199-221. [PMID: 6331251 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1984.tb20785.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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