title: Effect of the stellate ganglion on atrial fibrillation and atrial electrophysiological properties and its left-right asymmetry in a canine model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of the stellate ganglion (SG) and its left-right asymmetry on atrial fibrillation (AF) inducibility, AF duration and atrial electrophysiological properties.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen adult mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to three groups. The control group (n=4) underwent 6 h rapid atrial pacing (RAP) only; the right SG (RSG) group (n=6) underwent 6 h RSG stimulation plus RAP; and the left SG (LSG) group (n=6) underwent 6 h LSG stimulation plus RAP. AF induction rate, AF duration, effective refractory period (ERP) and dispersion of ERP (dERP) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the RSG group, the induction rate of AF was significantly increased in sites in the right atrium (RA) compared with baseline (P<0.05). In the LSG group, the induction rate of AF was significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with baseline in the left atrium (LA), left superior pulmonary vein and left inferior pulmonary vein, respectively. Compared with RSG stimulation, right stellate ganglionectomy markedly decreased the AF induction rate of the RA (P<0.05). Compared with LSG stimulation, left stellate ganglionectomy markedly decreased the AF induction rate of the LA, the left superior pulmonary vein and the left inferior pulmonary vein (P<0.05). In the RSG group, the ERP was significantly shortened (P<0.05) and the dERP was significantly increased (P<0.05) in RA sites (P<0.05). The ERP was significantly shortened in the LSG group (P<0.05). The dERP was significantly increased (P<0.05) in LA and pulmonary vein sites (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unilateral electrical stimulation of the SG in combination with RAP can successfully establish a canine model of acute AF mediated by excessive sympathetic activity. SG stimulation facilitates AF induction and aggravates electrical remodelling in sites in the atrium and pulmonary vein. Inhibiting sympathetic nerve activation through unilateral stellate ganglionectomy can reduce AF initiation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi, China;
authors.forename: Qina
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Jialu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Yujun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xiaoxia
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Lingpeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hongli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuemei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hou
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Stellate ganglion; Sympathetic nerve