Effect of left superior pulmonary vein fat pad on atrial fibrillation in dogs / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the effect of ablation of left superior pulmonary vein fat pad(LSPV-FP) on atrial fibrillation(AF). Methods Twelve healthy adult mongrel dogs were anesthetized and ventilated; both cervical vagosympathetic trunks were exposed for stimulation. Thoracotomies at the 4th intercostal space of left and right chest were performed to expose the LSPV-FP. The effective refractory period(ERP)/ERP-dispersion (dERP) of atrium and LSPV, AF inducibility, and the ventricular rate of AF were measured in the following statuses baseline, vagosympathetic trunk stimulation(VTS), LSPV-FP ablation, and VTS post LSPV-FP ablation. Results At baseline status, stimulation of the left or right vagosympathetic trunks significantly shortened the ERP of atrial ([84.44±29.50] ms vs [129.7±15.83] ms, [85.42±26.11] ms vs [129.7±15.83] ms, P<0.05), increased the dERP of atrial ([71.67±14.03] ms vs [34.17±18.32] ms, [57.5±24.17] ms vs [34.17± 18.32] ms, P<0.05), the difference of ERP between proximal and distal of LSPV(P<0.05), AF inducibility ([5.33± 1.231] times vs [0.75±0.96] times, [4.67±1.155] times vs [0.75±0.96] times, P<0.05), and deceased the ventricular rate of AF([143.6±22.42] beats/min vs [226.3±28.50] beats/min, [146.4±30.72] times/min vs [226.3±28.50] times/ min, P<0.05). LSPV-FP ablation significantly attenuated all the above electrophysiological changes induced by left VTS(P< 0.05), but showed no effects on those induced by right VTS. Conclusion Left vagosympathetic trunk plays an important role in the development and maintenance of AF partially through LSPV-FP.