Heart rate variability after radiofrequency ablation of epicardial ganglionated plexuses on the ovine left atrium.

Background: Ganglionated plexuses (GP) are terminal parts of cardiac autonomous nervous system (ANS). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) possibly affects GP. Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) after RFA can reflect ANS modulation.

Radiofrequency catheter ablation of pulmonary vein roots results in axonal degeneration of distal epicardial nerves.

Background: In treatment of atrial fibrillations (AF), radiofrequency ablation (RFA) at the pulmonary vein (PV) roots isolates AF triggers in the myocardial sleeves, but also can destroy PV ganglia and branches of the intrinsic cardiac nerve plexus.

Aim: To determine the long-term impact of RFA at the PV roots on the structure of epicardial nerves located distally from the RFA site.

Methods: Five black-faced sheep underwent epicardial RFA of the left and middle PV roots.

Immunohistochemical characterization of the intrinsic cardiac neural plexus in whole-mount mouse heart preparations.

Background: The intrinsic neural plexus of the mouse heart has not been adequately investigated despite the extensive use of this species in experimental cardiology.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of cholinergic, adrenergic, and sensory neural components in whole-mount mouse heart preparations using double immunohistochemical labeling.

Methods/results: Intrinsic neurons were concentrated within 19 ± 3 ganglia (n = 20 mice) of varying size, scattered on the medial side of the inferior caval (caudal) vein on the right atrium and close to the pulmonary veins on the left atrium.

Nerve supply of the human pulmonary veins: an anatomical study.

Background: Atrial ectopic discharges originating in the pulmonary veins (PVs) are known to initiate atrial fibrillation (AF), which may be terminated by catheter-based PV isolation. Because a functional relationship exists between cardiac autonomic effects and PVs in arrhythmogenesis, it has been suggested that discharges of the nerves that proceed to the PVs and interconnect with intrinsic ganglionated nerve plexuses are potential triggers of AF in man.

Objective: This study sought to determine the characteristics and distribution of neural routes by which autonomic nerves supply the human PVs.

Innervation of pulmonary veins: morphologic pattern and pathways of nerves in the human fetus.

The aim of the study was to determine the anatomy of intrinsic nerves supplying human pulmonary veins (PVs). Twenty-two hearts of human fetuses with full sets of PVs were examined using a histochemical method for acetylcholinesterase in order to stain transmurally intrinsic neural structures on non-sectioned PVs for subsequent stereomicroscopic examination. Findings of the study demonstrate that epicardiac nerve extensions from both the dorsal right atrial and the middle dorsal subplexuses reached the right superior as well as the right inferior PVs, whereas the left superior PV was supplied by nerve extensions from the left dorsal subplexus.

Morphometric analysis of pulpal myelinated nerve fibers in human teeth with chronic periodontitis and root sensitivity.

Background: The reasons why root sensitivity occurs in some periodontally diseased teeth are still unknown. It is possible that root sensitivity may be related to changes of intradental myelinated nerve fibers, which are responsible for dentine sensitivity.

Objective: The aim of this study was to define the pattern of myelinated nerve fiber changes in the pulps of teeth with and without root sensitivity in the presence of chronic periodontitis.