Electrophysiological mapping and histological examinations of the swine atrium with sustained (> or =24 h) atrial fibrillation: a suitable animal model for studying human atrial fibrillation.

Objectives: Interventional elimination of chronic persistent atrial fibrillation (AFib) remains difficult. An animal model mimicking the clinical situation is important.

Methods And Results: Twenty-five adult pigs were implanted with a high-speed atrial pacemaker.