Effects of atrial excitable period on the stability of atrial fibrillation in goats.
- Author:
Zhao-liang SHAN
1
;
Yu-tang WANG
;
Xiang-min SHI
;
Jun-jin YAN
;
Jun-yan ZHOU
;
Jian-ping GUO
;
Wei-hua WANG
;
Tian-de LI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Atrial Fibrillation; physiopathology; Disease Models, Animal; Electrocardiography; Female; Goats; Heart Atria; physiopathology
- From: Chinese Journal of Cardiology 2005;33(11):992-994
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of atrial excitable period (EP) on the stability of atrial fibrillation (AF) in goats.
METHODSTen female goats were instrumented with epicardial electrodes patches on the left atrium (LA) free wall. AF was induced and maintained by a home-made stimulator with frequency of 50 Hz at a 1-second duration and a 2-seconds interval. The stimulator was disconnected regularly. AF-induced duration, average AF cycle length (AFCL), and atrial effective refractory period during AF (ERP(AF)) were measured; EP was calculated by AFCL-ERP(AF).
RESULTSEight goats were studied. Persistent AF (> 24 h) could be induced in all the 8 goats within 6-16 days. When the induced AF lasted for 3-10 min or 24 h, the AFCL was 98.3 ms +/- 11.0 ms and 84.9 ms +/- 5.2 ms (P < 0.05), respectively, ERP(AF) was 90.5 ms +/- 13.2 ms and 63.0 ms +/- 4.8 ms (P < 0.05), respectively, and EP was 7.8 ms +/- 2.4 ms and 21.9 ms +/- 3.5 ms (P < 0.05), respectively.
CONCLUSIONThe decrease in ERP(AF) is more significant than the shortening in AFCL, resulting in the gradually widening of EP which may contribute to the perpetuation of AF.
