TY - JOUR

T1 - Characterization of Atrial and Ventricular Structural Remodeling in a Porcine Model of Atrial Fibrillation Induced by Atrial Tachypacing

AU - Citerni, Carlotta

AU - Kirchhoff, Jeppe

AU - Olsen, Lisbeth Høier

AU - Sattler, Stefan Michael

AU - Gentilini, Fabio

AU - Forni, Monica

AU - Zannoni, Augusta

AU - Grunnet, Morten

AU - Edvardsson, Nils

AU - Bentzen, Bo Hjorth

AU - Diness, Jonas Goldin

N1 - Copyright © 2020 Citerni, Kirchhoff, Olsen, Sattler, Gentilini, Forni, Zannoni, Grunnet, Edvardsson, Bentzen and Diness.

PY - 2020

Y1 - 2020

N2 - Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by electrical and structural remodeling. Irregular and/or fast atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction during AF can result in AV dyssynchrony, tachymyopathy, pressure and volume overload with subsequent dilatation, valve regurgitation, and ventricular dysfunction with progression to heart failure. Objective: To gain further insight into the myocardial pathophysiological changes induced by right atrial tachypacing (A-TP) in a large animal model. Methods: A total of 28 Landrace pigs were randomized as 14 into AF-induced A-TP group and 14 pigs to control group. AF pigs were tachypaced for 43 ± 4 days until in sustained AF. Functional remodeling was investigated by echocardiography (after cardioversion to sinus rhythm). Structural remodeling was quantified by histological preparations with picrosirius red and immunohistochemical stainings. Results: A-TP resulted in decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) accompanied by increased end-diastolic and end-systolic left atrium (LA) volume and area. In addition, A-TP was associated with mitral valve (MV) regurgitation, diastolic dysfunction and increased atrial and ventricular fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM). Conclusions: A-TP induced AF with concomitant LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, increased LA volume and area, and atrial and ventricular fibrosis.

AB - Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by electrical and structural remodeling. Irregular and/or fast atrio-ventricular (AV) conduction during AF can result in AV dyssynchrony, tachymyopathy, pressure and volume overload with subsequent dilatation, valve regurgitation, and ventricular dysfunction with progression to heart failure. Objective: To gain further insight into the myocardial pathophysiological changes induced by right atrial tachypacing (A-TP) in a large animal model. Methods: A total of 28 Landrace pigs were randomized as 14 into AF-induced A-TP group and 14 pigs to control group. AF pigs were tachypaced for 43 ± 4 days until in sustained AF. Functional remodeling was investigated by echocardiography (after cardioversion to sinus rhythm). Structural remodeling was quantified by histological preparations with picrosirius red and immunohistochemical stainings. Results: A-TP resulted in decreased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) accompanied by increased end-diastolic and end-systolic left atrium (LA) volume and area. In addition, A-TP was associated with mitral valve (MV) regurgitation, diastolic dysfunction and increased atrial and ventricular fibrotic extracellular matrix (ECM). Conclusions: A-TP induced AF with concomitant LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction, increased LA volume and area, and atrial and ventricular fibrosis.

U2 - 10.3389/fvets.2020.00179

DO - 10.3389/fvets.2020.00179

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32328502

VL - 7

JO - Frontiers in Veterinary Science

JF - Frontiers in Veterinary Science

SN - 2297-1769

M1 - 179

ER -