[Atrial electrical, contractile and structural remodeling induced by short-term atrial tachycardia in a canine model].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate atrial remodeling induced by short term pacing in a canine model.


METHODS
Transvenous lead was inserted into the right atrial appendage of anesthetized mongrel dogs and paced for 5 hours at 450 bpm (n=12). Effective refractory period (ERP) and P-wave duration were measured before and post pacing and left ventricular pressure was monitored during the procedure. Echocardiography was performed to observe the presence or absence of spontaneous echo contrast and to assess the effect of rapid atrial pacing on atrial function. All measurements were obtained in sinus rhythm. Histology of the myocardium in left atrial trabeculae and appendages was examined by electron microscopy.


RESULTS
Compared to pre-pacing status, ERP was significantly reduced [(87.27 +/- 16.35) ms vs. (113.27 +/- 11.99) ms, P<0.01] at a cycle length of 300 ms, P-wave duration significantly increased [(56.09 +/- 8.62) ms vs. (52.09 +/- 7.63) ms, P<0.01], the peak velocity of atrial contraction significantly decreased [(48.92 +/- 10.80) cm/s vs. (59.25 +/- 9.37) cm/s, P<0.05] while heart rates and left ventricular pressure were not affected post five hours rapid atrial pacing. Pacing also induced significantly cellular ultrastructures changes including myofibrils loss, glycogen accumulation, mitochondria loss and swelling.


CONCLUSIONS
Short term pacing resulted in atrial electrical, contractile and structural remodeling.
Zhang
Lei
L
Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Public Health, Department of Cardiology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan 250014, China.
Ji
Xiao-ping
XP
Zhang
Wei
W
Wang
Rong
R
Jiang
Shi-liang
SL
Chen
Wen-qiang
WQ
Sang
Xue-dong
XD
Zhang
Yun
Y
D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016280:Atrial Function, Right; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction