Proarrhythmic proclivity of left-stellate ganglion stimulation in a canine model of drug-induced long-QT syndrome type 1.

Background: Left-stellate ganglion stimulation (LSGS) can modify regional dispersion of ventricular refractoriness, promote triggered activity, and reduce the threshold for ventricular fibrillation (VF). Sympathetic hyperactivity precipitates torsades de pointes (TdP) and VF in susceptible patients with long-QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1). We investigated the electromechanical effects of LSGS in a canine model of drug-induced LQT1, gaining novel arrhythmogenic insights.

Pharmacological prevention and termination of focal atrial fibrillation.

Aims: Patients undergo ablation for focal atrial fibrillation (AF) as a result of failure of anti-arrhythmic drugs. Our basic studies have implicated cholinergic and adrenergic neurotransmitter release as the underlying mechanism for focal AF. Therefore, we tested the efficacy of a combination of sodium channel-blocking agents with additional vagolytic properties and a β-blocker to terminate and prevent focal AF.

The role of ganglionated plexi in apnea-related atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: This study was conducted to simulate sleep apnea-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) in an experimental model and to determine whether neural ablation will prevent AF.

Background: An increasing number of clinical reports have associated sleep apnea and AF, and many possible mechanisms responsible for this relationship have been proposed.

Methods: Thirty dogs anesthetized with Na-pentobarbital were ventilated by a positive pressure respirator.