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Effects of low-level carotid baroreflex stimulation on atrial electrophysiology

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Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-level carotid baroreflex stimulation (LL-CBS) on atrial electrophysiology.

Methods

In protocol 1 (LL-CBS on physiological state), anesthetized rabbits were subjected to LL-CBS (n = 10) or surgical exposure (n = 6) for 1 h. In protocol 2 (LL-CBS on acute rapid atrial pacing), anesthetized rabbits underwent 3 h of rapid atrial pacing (RAP) with concomitant LL-CBS in the third hour (n = 7) or 3h-RAP without LL-CBS (n = 6). Carotid baroreceptor surrounded by electrodes allowed LL-CBS at 20 % below the voltage required to reduce systolic blood pressure or heart rate. Effective refractory period (ERP) and monophasic action potential duration (MAPD) were determined, and power spectral of heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed at baseline as well as after interventions in all groups, respectively.

Results

In protocol 1, LL-CBS significantly prolonged the ERPs, MAPD90, and MAPD50 and increased high-frequency (HF) HRV component but it decreased low-frequency (LF) HRV component and LF/HF ratio. In protocol 2, 3h-RAP significantly shortened ERPs, MAPD90, and MAPD50 and decreased HF but it increased LF and LF/HF ratio. However, LL-CBS reversed the variations caused by RAP.

Conclusions

LL-CBS prolongs ERPs and MAPD of the left atrium and attenuates RAP-induced atrial electrical remodeling including the shortening of ERPs and MAPD, probably by modulating the autonomic nervous system.

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Abbreviations

BP:

Blood pressure

CBS:

Carotid baroreflex stimulation

ERP:

Effective refractory period

HRV:

Heart rate variability

HF:

High frequency

LA:

Left atria

LAA:

Left atria appendage

LF:

Low frequency

LL-CBS:

Low-level carotid baroreflex stimulation

MAPD:

Monophasic action potential Duration

RAP:

Rapid atrial pacing

LL-VNS:

Low-level vagus nerve stimulation

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Conflict of interest

None

Funding

This work is funded by the National Science and Technology Pillar Program of China No. 2011BAI11B12, the Major Original Works Nurturing Program of Wuhan University, and the Planning Project of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training of National Undergraduate of Wuhan University No. 201310486087

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 238 Jiefang Road, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China

    Mingyan Dai, Mingwei Bao, Jiafen Liao, Lilei Yu, Yanhong Tang, He Huang, Xi Wang & Congxin Huang

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  1. Mingyan Dai
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  2. Mingwei Bao
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  3. Jiafen Liao
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  4. Lilei Yu
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Correspondence to Congxin Huang.

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Mingyan Dai and Mingwei Bao are first co-authors.

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Dai, M., Bao, M., Liao, J. et al. Effects of low-level carotid baroreflex stimulation on atrial electrophysiology. J Interv Card Electrophysiol 43, 111–119 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10840-015-9976-5

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