Atrial cellular electrophysiological changes in patients with ventricular dysfunction may predispose to AF.
BACKGROUND
Left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF), but the atrial cellular electrophysiological mechanisms in humans are unclear.


OBJECTIVE
This study sought to investigate whether LVSD in patients who are in sinus rhythm (SR) is associated with atrial cellular electrophysiological changes that could predispose to AF.


METHODS
Right atrial myocytes were obtained from 214 consenting patients in SR who were undergoing cardiac surgery. Action potentials or ion currents were measured using the whole-cell-patch clamp technique.


RESULTS
The presence of moderate or severe LVSD was associated with a shortened atrial cellular effective refractory period (ERP) (209 +/- 8 ms; 52 cells, 18 patients vs 233 +/- 7 ms; 134 cells, 49 patients; P <0.05); confirmed by multiple linear regression analysis. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was markedly lower in patients with moderate or severe LVSD (36% +/- 4%, n = 15) than in those without LVSD (62% +/- 2%, n = 31; P <0.05). In cells from patients with LVEF <or= 45%, the ERP and action potential duration at 90% repolarization were shorter than in those from patients with LVEF > 45%, by 24% and 18%, respectively. The LVEF and ERP were positively correlated (r = 0.65, P <0.05). The L-type calcium ion current, inward rectifier potassium ion current, and sustained outward ion current were unaffected by LVSD. The transient outward potassium ion current was decreased by 34%, with a positive shift in its activation voltage, and no change in its decay kinetics.


CONCLUSIONS
LVSD in patients in SR is independently associated with a shortening of the atrial cellular ERP, which may be expected to contribute to a predisposition to AF.
Workman
Antony J
AJ
British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Division of Cardiovascular & Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK. A.J.Workman@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Pau
Davide
D
Redpath
Calum J
CJ
Marshall
Gillian E
GE
Russell
Julie A
JA
Norrie
John
J
Kane
Kathleen A
KA
Rankin
Andrew C
AC