title: [Acute changes in wavelength of the process of auricular activation induced by stretching. Experimental study].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  An evaluation is made of the acute modifications in the wavelength of the atrial excitation process induced by atrial stretching.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 10 isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts and using a multiple electrode the wavelength of the atrial activation process (functional refractory period x conduction velocity) was determined in the right atrium. An analysis was also made of the inducibility of rapid repetitive atrial responses after 20 episodes of atrial burst pacing. Measurements were made under control conditions, after inducing two degrees of atrial wall stretch (D1 and D2), and following the suppression of atrial dilatation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under control conditions the wavelength was 72.6 +/- 7.7 mm (250 ms cycle) and 54.0 +/- 5.1 mm (100 ms cycle). In D1 (mean longitudinal increase in atrial wall length = 24 +/- 3%) the wavelength shortened, with values of 59.8 +/- 6.6 mm (250 ms cycle; p < 0.01) and 44.9 +/- 5.1 mm (100 ms cycle; p < 0.01). In D2 (mean longitudinal increase in atrial wall length = 41 +/- 4%) the wavelength also shortened significantly, with values of 41.6 +/- 2.5 mm (250 ms cycle; p < 0.01 vs control) and 29.6 +/- 2.1 mm (100 ms cycle; p < 0.01 vs control). After suppressing atrial dilatation the wavelength was 65.7 +/- 8.0 mm (250 ms cycle, NS vs control) and 47.9 +/- 5.5 mm (100 ms cycle; NS vs control). The inducibility of rapid repetitive atrial responses increased during dilatation (22 episodes with over 30 consecutive repetitive responses in D1 [p < 0.01], 50 episodes in D2 [p < 0.001] vs 5 episodes under control conditions), and diminished after suppressing atrial dilatation (0 episodes with over 30 consecutive repetitive responses; p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the experimental model used, acute atrial dilatation produced a shortening in refractoriness and a decrease in conduction velocity. Both effects shortened the wavelength of the atrial activation process, facilitating the induction of atrial arrhythmias. The effects observed reverted upon suppressing atrial dilatation.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Chorro
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Egea
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mainar
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cánoves
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sanchis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Llavador
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: López-Merino
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Such
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016275:Atrial Function / Q000502:physiology; D002404:Catheterization; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006329:Heart Conduction System / Q000503:physiopathology; D011817:Rabbits
vernacular_title: Modificaciones agudas de la longitud de onda del proceso de activación auricular inducidas por la dilatación. Estudio experimental.