Yuan Yuan1, Zhaolei Jiang1, Yi He1, Fang-Bao Ding1, Shi-Ao Ding1, Yang Yang1, Ju Mei2. 1. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China. 2. Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: ju_mei1963@126.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The effects of continuous vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) on atrial neural remodeling during atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that VNS affects atrial neural remodeling and reduces AF inducibility. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: rapid atrial pacing (RAP) group and RAP with VNS group. AF inducibility studies and atrial histologic analyses were performed after 4 weeks. RESULTS: Five rabbits of RAP group (5/10) in the RAP group developed sustained AF. None of rabbits in RAP with VNS group had developed AF. The incidence of sustained AF in VNS group was significant lower than that in rapid pacing group (P<.01). Treatment with VNS resulted in a significant reduction in atrial neural remodeling and AF duration (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: Atrial neural remodeling plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of AF. Modulating autonomic nerve function with VNS can contribute to AF control.
BACKGROUND: The effects of continuous vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) on atrial neural remodeling during atrial fibrillation (AF) remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that VNS affects atrial neural remodeling and reduces AF inducibility. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: rapid atrial pacing (RAP) group and RAP with VNS group. AF inducibility studies and atrial histologic analyses were performed after 4 weeks. RESULTS: Five rabbits of RAP group (5/10) in the RAP group developed sustained AF. None of rabbits in RAP with VNS group had developed AF. The incidence of sustained AF in VNS group was significant lower than that in rapid pacing group (P<.01). Treatment with VNS resulted in a significant reduction in atrial neural remodeling and AF duration (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS:Atrial neural remodeling plays an important role in the initiation and maintenance of AF. Modulating autonomic nerve function with VNS can contribute to AF control.
Authors: Adam Goldberg; Kenya Kusunose; Salima Qamruddin; L Leonardo Rodriguez; Todor N Mazgalev; Brian P Griffin; David R Van Wagoner; Youhua Zhang; Zoran B Popović Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-15 Impact factor: 3.240