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Choi BR, Ziv O, Salama G. Conduction delays across the specialized conduction system of the heart: Revisiting atrioventricular node (AVN) and Purkinje-ventricular junction (PVJ) delays. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1158480. [PMID: 37153461 PMCID: PMC10154624 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1158480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and significance The specialized conduction system (SCS) of the heart was extensively studied to understand the synchronization of atrial and ventricular contractions, the large atrial to His bundle (A-H) delay through the atrioventricular node (AVN), and delays between Purkinje (P) and ventricular (V) depolarization at distinct junctions (J), PVJs. Here, we use optical mapping of perfused rabbit hearts to revisit the mechanism that explains A-H delay and the role of a passive electrotonic step-delay at the boundary between atria and the AVN. We further visualize how the P anatomy controls papillary activation and valve closure before ventricular activation. Methods Rabbit hearts were perfused with a bolus (100-200 µl) of a voltage-sensitive dye (di4ANEPPS), blebbistatin (10-20 µM for 20 min) then the right atrial appendage and ventricular free-wall were cut to expose the AVN, P fibers (PFs), the septum, papillary muscles, and the endocardium. Fluorescence images were focused on a CMOS camera (SciMedia) captured at 1K-5 K frames/s from 100 × 100 pixels. Results AP propagation across the AVN-His (A-H) exhibits distinct patterns of delay and conduction blocks during S1-S2 stimulation. Refractory periods were 81 ± 9, 90 ± 21, 185 ± 15 ms for Atrial, AVN, and His, respectively. A large delay (>40 ms) occurs between atrial and AVN activation that increased during rapid atrial pacing contributing to the development of Wenckebach periodicity followed by delays within the AVN through slow or blocked conduction. The temporal resolution of the camera allowed us to identify PVJs by detecting doublets of AP upstrokes. PVJ delays were heterogeneous, fastest in PVJ that immediately trigger ventricular APs (3.4 ± 0.8 ms) and slow in regions where PF appear insulated from the neighboring ventricular myocytes (7.8 ± 2.4 ms). Insulated PF along papillary muscles conducted APs (>2 m/s), then triggered papillary muscle APs (<1 m/s), followed by APs firing of septum and endocardium. The anatomy of PFs and PVJs produced activation patterns that control the sequence of contractions ensuring that papillary contractions close the tricuspid valve 2-5 ms before right ventricular contractions. Conclusions The specialized conduction system can be accessed optically to investigate the electrical properties of the AVN, PVJ and activation patterns in physiological and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bum-Rak Choi
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Ohad Ziv
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Guy Salama
- Department of Medicine, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
- Correspondence: Guy Salama
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A Computationally Efficient Approach to Simulate Heart Rate Effects Using a Whole Human Heart Model. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:bioengineering9080334. [PMID: 35892747 PMCID: PMC9331290 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9080334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Computational modeling of the whole human heart has become a valuable tool to evaluate medical devices such as leadless pacemakers, annuloplasty rings and left ventricular assist devices, since it is often difficult to replicate the complex dynamic interactions between the device and human heart in bench-top and animal tests. The Dassault Systèmes Living Heart Human Model (LHHM) is a finite-element model of whole-human-heart electromechanics that has input parameters that were previously calibrated to generate physiological responses in a healthy heart beating at 60 beat/min (resting state). This study demonstrates that, by adjusting only six physiologically meaningful parameters, the LHHM can be recalibrated to generate physiological responses in a healthy heart beating at heart rates ranging from 90−160 beat/min. These parameters are as follows: the sinoatrial node firing period decreases from 0.67 s at 90 bpm to 0.38 s at 160 bpm, atrioventricular delay decreases from 0.122 s at 90 bpm to 0.057 s at 160 bpm, preload increases 3-fold from 90 bpm to 160 bpm, body resistance at 160 bpm is 80% of that at 90 bpm, arterial stiffness at 160 bpm is 3.9 times that at 90 bpm, and a parameter relating myofiber twitch force duration and sarcomere length decreases from 238 ms/mm at 90 bpm to 175 ms/mm at 160 bpm. In addition, this study demonstrates the feasibility of using the LHHM to conduct clinical investigations in AV delay optimization and hemodynamic differences between pacing and exercise. AV delays in the ranges of 40 ms to 250 ms were simulated and stroke volume and systolic blood pressure showed clear peaks at 120 ms for 90 bpm. For a heart during exercise, the increase in cardiac output continues to 160 bpm. However, for a heart during pacing, those physiological parameter adjustments are removed that are related to changes in body oxygen requirements (preload, arterial stiffness and body resistance). Consequently, cardiac output increases initially with heart rate; as the heart rate goes up (>100 bpm), the increasing rate of cardiac output slows down and approaches a plateau.
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Iop L, Iliceto S, Civieri G, Tona F. Inherited and Acquired Rhythm Disturbances in Sick Sinus Syndrome, Brugada Syndrome, and Atrial Fibrillation: Lessons from Preclinical Modeling. Cells 2021; 10:3175. [PMID: 34831398 PMCID: PMC8623957 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhythm disturbances are life-threatening cardiovascular diseases, accounting for many deaths annually worldwide. Abnormal electrical activity might arise in a structurally normal heart in response to specific triggers or as a consequence of cardiac tissue alterations, in both cases with catastrophic consequences on heart global functioning. Preclinical modeling by recapitulating human pathophysiology of rhythm disturbances is fundamental to increase the comprehension of these diseases and propose effective strategies for their prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management. In silico, in vivo, and in vitro models found variable application to dissect many congenital and acquired rhythm disturbances. In the copious list of rhythm disturbances, diseases of the conduction system, as sick sinus syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation, have found extensive preclinical modeling. In addition, the electrical remodeling as a result of other cardiovascular diseases has also been investigated in models of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac fibrosis, as well as arrhythmias induced by other non-cardiac pathologies, stress, and drug cardiotoxicity. This review aims to offer a critical overview on the effective ability of in silico bioinformatic tools, in vivo animal studies, in vitro models to provide insights on human heart rhythm pathophysiology in case of sick sinus syndrome, Brugada syndrome, and atrial fibrillation and advance their safe and successful translation into the cardiology arena.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Iop
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35124 Padua, Italy; (S.I.); (G.C.)
| | | | | | - Francesco Tona
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani, 2, I-35124 Padua, Italy; (S.I.); (G.C.)
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Naumova N, Iop L. Bioengineering the Cardiac Conduction System: Advances in Cellular, Gene, and Tissue Engineering for Heart Rhythm Regeneration. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:673477. [PMID: 34409019 PMCID: PMC8365186 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.673477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart rhythm disturbances caused by different etiologies may affect pediatric and adult patients with life-threatening consequences. When pharmacological therapy is ineffective in treating the disturbances, the implantation of electronic devices to control and/or restore normal heart pacing is a unique clinical management option. Although these artificial devices are life-saving, they display many limitations; not least, they do not have any capability to adapt to somatic growth or respond to neuroautonomic physiological changes. A biological pacemaker could offer a new clinical solution for restoring heart rhythms in the conditions of disorder in the cardiac conduction system. Several experimental approaches, such as cell-based, gene-based approaches, and the combination of both, for the generation of biological pacemakers are currently established and widely studied. Pacemaker bioengineering is also emerging as a technology to regenerate nodal tissues. This review analyzes and summarizes the strategies applied so far for the development of biological pacemakers, and discusses current translational challenges toward the first-in-human clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliia Naumova
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Laura Iop
- Department of Cardiac Thoracic Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
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5
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Leonelli F, De Ponti R, Bagliani G. Atrio-ventricular junction: Can precision electrocardiology bridge cell and electrocardiogram? J Electrocardiol 2020; 60:82-91. [PMID: 32335413 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2020.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The Atrio Ventricular Junction (AVJ) is a well-defined anatomical region of the heart the physiology of which, despite extensive and numerous observations, it is not fully understood. The aim of this review is to present an up to date summary of old and more recent findings on histology, cellular electrophysiology and intracellular connectivity of this region. We have also attempted to relate our increasing understanding of nodal pathophysiology to the interpretation of the electrocardiographic (ECG) manifestations of AVN behavior. Bridging cellular observations with ECG analysis in a process we call "Precision Electrocardiology" renders this tool far more sensitive and clinically useful than the pattern analysis too often employed in the ECG interpretation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Leonelli
- James A Haley Veterans' Hospital, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America.
| | - Roberto De Ponti
- Department of Heart and Vessels, Ospedale di Circolo-University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bagliani
- Foligno General Hospital, Cardiology Department, Arrhythmology Unit, Foligno, Perugia, Italy
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Ding W, Lin E, Ribeiro A, Sarunic MV, Tibbits GF, Beg MF. On identification of sinoatrial node in zebrafish heart based on functional time series from optical mapping. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2015; 2013:6518-21. [PMID: 24111235 DOI: 10.1109/embc.2013.6611048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
As a vertebrate cardiovascular model, the zebrafish heart has been used extensively in physiology research to study cardiac development and human cardiac disease. Optical mapping techniques provide an effective approach to record action potential propagation in the zebrafish heart. However, manual analysis of functional time series recorded from optical mapping can be laborious and time consuming. In this paper, a novel pipeline is proposed to assist physiologists in identifying the sinoatrial node (SAN) in zebrafish heart based on functional time series. First, the original optical mapping data are enhanced and averaged. Next, the heart is divided into small regions, and representative average time series are calculated. A 'discretization of derivative' (DoD) process is performed to model physiological similarity between signals. Finally, grouping is done on the DoD transformed representation, which is found to produce physiologically meaningful classification for SAN identification.
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Biophotonic Modelling of Cardiac Optical Imaging. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 859:367-404. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17641-3_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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Abstract
Purkinje fibers were the first discovered component of the cardiac conduction system. Originally described in sheep in 1839 as pale subendocardial cells, they were found to be present, although with different morphology, in all mammalian and avian hearts. Here we review differences in their appearance and extent in different species, summarize the current state of knowledge of their function, and provide an update on markers for these cells. Special emphasis is given to popular model species and human anatomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sedmera
- Department of Cardiovascular Morphogenesis, Institute of Physiology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic.
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Ding W, Lin E, Ribeiro A, Sarunic MV, Tibbits GF, Beg MF. Automatic cycle averaging for denoising approximately periodic spatiotemporal signals. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL IMAGING 2014; 33:1749-1759. [PMID: 24835215 DOI: 10.1109/tmi.2014.2323201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Optical mapping has become a common tool for cardiovascular research, providing high resolution spatiotemporal data of cardiac action potential propagation. However, noise in cardiac optical mapping (COM) data hampers quantitative measurements and analyses. Spatial and temporal filters have been used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of COM data. Although these help reduce noise and increase SNR, they also lower the spatial and temporal resolution of the data, which is not desirable. This paper utilizes the approximate periodicity of COM data to perform denoising by averaging cycles. We consider the entire approximately periodic spatiotemporal (APST) COM data as a concatenation of random samples generated from a deterministic single cycle spatiotemporal signal. The image difference signal (IDS) was defined and calculated to provide "global" periodicity information. Parameters for cycle segmentation, scaling and alignment were estimated based on the IDS. Finally, these parameters were used to segment, align and average cycles from each individual signal, which produces a clean and denoised single cycle spatiotemporal signal. The novel, fully automated pipeline was validated both qualitatively and quantitatively on zebrafish heart optical mapping data.
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Nisbet AM, Burton FL, Walker NL, Craig MA, Cheng H, Hancox JC, Orchard CH, Smith GL. Acidosis slows electrical conduction through the atrio-ventricular node. Front Physiol 2014; 5:233. [PMID: 25009505 PMCID: PMC4070392 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2014.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Acidosis affects the mechanical and electrical activity of mammalian hearts but comparatively little is known about its effects on the function of the atrio-ventricular node (AVN). In this study, the electrical activity of the epicardial surface of the left ventricle of isolated Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts was examined using optical methods. Perfusion with hypercapnic Tyrode's solution (20% CO2, pH 6.7) increased the time of earliest activation (Tact) from 100.5 ± 7.9 to 166.1 ± 7.2 ms (n = 8) at a pacing cycle length (PCL) of 300 ms (37°C). Tact increased at shorter PCL, and the hypercapnic solution prolonged Tact further: at 150 ms PCL, Tact was prolonged from 131.0 ± 5.2 to 174.9 ± 16.3 ms. 2:1 AVN block was common at shorter cycle lengths. Atrial and ventricular conduction times were not significantly affected by the hypercapnic solution suggesting that the increased delay originated in the AVN. Isolated right atrial preparations were superfused with Tyrode's solutions at pH 7.4 (control), 6.8 and 6.3. Low pH prolonged the atrial-Hisian (AH) interval, the AVN effective and functional refractory periods and Wenckebach cycle length significantly. Complete AVN block occurred in 6 out of 9 preparations. Optical imaging of conduction at the AV junction revealed increased conduction delay in the region of the AVN, with less marked effects in atrial and ventricular tissue. Thus acidosis can dramatically prolong the AVN delay, and in combination with short cycle lengths, this can cause partial or complete AVN block and is therefore implicated in the development of brady-arrhythmias in conditions of local or systemic acidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley M Nisbet
- British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK
| | - Francis L Burton
- British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK
| | - Nicola L Walker
- British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK
| | - Margaret A Craig
- British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK
| | - Hongwei Cheng
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol Bristol, UK
| | - Jules C Hancox
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol Bristol, UK
| | - Clive H Orchard
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol Bristol, UK
| | - Godfrey L Smith
- British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences, University of Glasgow Glasgow, UK
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11
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Cheng H, Smith GL, Orchard CH, Hancox JC, Burton FL. Inhibition of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+)-ATPase decreases atrioventricular node-paced heart rate in rabbits. Exp Physiol 2012; 97:1131-9. [PMID: 22562813 DOI: 10.1113/expphysiol.2012.065110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Recent data indicate that Ca(2+) cycling in isolated atrioventricular node (AVN) cells contributes to setting spontaneous rate. The aim of the present study was to extend this observation to the intact AVN in situ, by evaluating the effects of inhibiting sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) uptake with cyclopiazonic acid (CPA) on intact AVN spontaneous activity and its response to isoprenaline. A model of the AVN-paced heart was produced to investigate intact AVN automaticity, by surgical ablation of the sino-atrial node (SAN) in the rabbit Langendorff-perfused heart. Electrograms were recorded from a site close to the AVN (triangle of Koch), an atrial site above the AVN, the left atrium and right ventricle, enabling AVN pacing of the preparation to be confirmed. Before SAN ablation, the heart rate was 166.8 ± 5.4 beats min(-1). Ablation of the SAN was clearly indicated by a sudden and significant decrease of heart rate to 108.6 ± 9.6 beats min(-1) (P < 0.01, n = 10). Isoprenaline (100 nm) increased AVN rate to 187.8 ± 12.0 beats min(-1) after 1 min of application (P < 0.01, n = 10). Cyclopiazonic acid (10 and 30 μm) decreased AVN rate to 81.6 ± 4.8 (n = 9) and 77.4 ± 6.0 beats min(-1) (n = 7), respectively [P < 0.05, 10 or 30 μm CPA versus control (n = 10)] and also reduced the AVN rate increase in response to isoprenaline from 78.8 ± 10.0 to 46.8 ± 6.8 and 26.7 ± 5.3%, respectively (P < 0.01). These inhibitory effects of CPA on the intact AVN rate and its response to isoprenaline indicate that Ca(2+) cycling is important to the intact AVN spontaneous activity and its acceleration during sympathetic stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Cheng
- School of Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical Sciences Building, University of Bristol, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK
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12
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Odening KE, Kirk M, Brunner M, Ziv O, Lorvidhaya P, Liu GX, Schofield L, Chaves L, Peng X, Zehender M, Choi BR, Koren G. Electrophysiological studies of transgenic long QT type 1 and type 2 rabbits reveal genotype-specific differences in ventricular refractoriness and His conduction. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2010; 299:H643-55. [PMID: 20581090 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00074.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We have generated transgenic rabbits lacking cardiac slow delayed-rectifier K(+) current [I(Ks); long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1)] or rapidly activating delayed-rectifier K(+) current [I(Kr); long QT syndrome type 2 (LQT2)]. Rabbits with either genotype have prolonged action potential duration and QT intervals; however, only LQT2 rabbits develop atrioventricular (AV) blocks and polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. We therefore sought to characterize the genotype-specific differences in AV conduction and ventricular refractoriness in LQT1 and LQT2 rabbits. We carried out in vivo electrophysiological studies in LQT1, LQT2, and littermate control (LMC) rabbits at baseline, during isoproterenol infusion, and after a bolus of dofetilide and ex vivo optical mapping studies of the AV node/His-region at baseline and during dofetilide perfusion. Under isoflurane anesthesia, LQT2 rabbits developed infra-His blocks, decremental His conduction, and prolongation of the Wenckebach cycle length. In LQT1 rabbits, dofetilide altered the His morphology and slowed His conduction, resulting in intra-His block, and additionally prolonged the ventricular refractoriness, leading to pseudo-AV block. The ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) in right ventricular apex and base was significantly longer in LQT2 than LQT1 (P < 0.05) or LMC (P < 0.01), with a greater VERP dispersion in LQT2 than LQT1 rabbits. Isoproterenol reduced the VERP dispersion in LQT2 rabbits by shortening the VERP in the base more than in the apex but had no effect on VERP in LQT1. EPS and optical mapping experiments demonstrated genotype-specific differences in AV conduction and ventricular refractoriness. The occurrence of infra-His blocks in LQT2 rabbits under isoflurane and intra-His block in LQT1 rabbits after dofetilide suggest differential regional sensitivities of the rabbit His-Purkinje system to drugs blocking I(Kr) and I(Ks).
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja E Odening
- Cardiovascular Research Center, Division of Cardiology, Rhode Island Hospital, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Yue Y, Qu Y, Boutjdir M. Protective role of protein kinase C epsilon activation in ischemia-reperfusion arrhythmia. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 349:432-8. [PMID: 16945341 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2006] [Accepted: 08/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Ischemic heart disease carries an increased risk of malignant ventricular tachycardia (VT), fibrillation (VF), and sudden cardiac death. Protein kinase C (PKC) epsilon activation has been shown to improve the hemodynamics in hearts subjected to ischemia/reperfusion. However, very little is known about the role of epsilon PKC in reperfusion arrhythmias. Here we show that epsilon PKC activation is anti-arrhythmic and its inhibition is pro-arrhythmic. METHOD Langendorff-perfused isolated hearts from epsilonPKC agonist (epsilonPKC activation), antagonist (epsilonPKC inhibition) transgenic (TG), and wild-type control mice were subjected to 30 min stabilization period, 10 min global ischemia, and 30 min reperfusion. Action potentials (APs) and calcium transients (CaiT) were recorded simultaneously at 37 degrees C using optical mapping techniques. The incidence of VT and VF was assessed during reperfusion. RESULTS No VT/VF was seen in any group during the stabilization period in which hearts were perfused with Tyrode's solution. Upon reperfusion, 3 out of the 16 (19%) wild-type mice developed VT but no VF. In epsilonPKC antagonist group, in which epsilonPKC activity was downregulated, 10 out of 13 (76.9%) TG mice developed VT, of which six (46.2%) degenerated into sustained VF upon reperfusion. Interestingly, in epsilonPKC agonist mice, in which the activity of epsilonPKC was upregulated, no VF was observed and only 1 out of 12 mice showed only transient VT during reperfusion. During ischemia and reperfusion, CaiT decay was exceedingly slower in the antagonist mice compared to the other two groups. CONCLUSION Moderate in vivo activation of epsilonPKC exerts beneficial antiarrhythmic effect vis-a-vis the lethal reperfusion arrhythmias. Abnormal CaiT decay may, in part, contribute to the high incidence of reperfusion arrhythmias in the antagonist mice. These findings have important implications for the development of PKC isozyme targeted therapeutics and subsequently for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuankun Yue
- VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11209 and NYU School of Medicine, NY 10010, USA
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14
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Salama G, Choi BR, Azour G, Lavasani M, Tumbev V, Salzberg BM, Patrick MJ, Ernst LA, Waggoner AS. Properties of new, long-wavelength, voltage-sensitive dyes in the heart. J Membr Biol 2006; 208:125-40. [PMID: 16645742 PMCID: PMC3018276 DOI: 10.1007/s00232-005-0826-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2005] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Membrane potential measurements using voltage-sensitive dyes (VSDs) have made important contributions to our understanding of electrophysiological properties of multi-cellular systems. Here, we report the development of long wavelength VSDs designed to record cardiac action potentials (APs) from deeper layers in the heart. The emission spectrum of styryl VSDs was red-shifted by incorporating a thienyl group in the polymethine bridge to lengthen and retain the rigidity of the chromophore. Seven dyes, Pittsburgh I to IV and VI to VIII (PGH I-VIII) were synthesized and characterized with respect to their spectral properties in organic solvents and heart muscles. PGH VSDs exhibited 2 absorption, 2 excitation and 2 voltage-sensitive emission peaks, with large Stokes shifts (> 100 nm). Hearts (rabbit, guinea pig and Rana pipiens) and neurohypophyses (CD-1 mice) were effectively stained by injecting a bolus (10-50 microl) of stock solution of VSD (2-5 mM) dissolved in in dimethylsulfoxide plus low molecular weight Pluronic (16% of L64). Other preparations were better stained with a bolus of VSD (2-5 mM) Tyrode's solution at pH 6.0. Action spectra measured with a fast CCD camera showed that PGH I exhibited an increase in fractional fluorescence, DeltaF/F = 17.5 % per AP at 720 nm with 550 nm excitation and DeltaF/F = - 6% per AP at 830 nm with 670 nm excitation. In frog hearts, PGH1 was stable with approximately 30% decrease in fluorescence and AP amplitude during 3 h of intermittent excitation or 1 h of continuous high intensity excitation (300 W Xe-Hg Arc lamp), which was attributed to a combination of dye wash out > photobleaching > dynamic damage > run down of the preparation. The long wavelengths, large Stokes shifts, high DeltaF/F and low baseline fluorescence make PGH dyes a valuable tool in optical mapping and for simultaneous mapping of APs and intracellular Ca(2+).
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Affiliation(s)
- G Salama
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, S314 Biomedical Science Tower, PA 15261, USA.
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15
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Bray MA, Wikswo JP. Examination of optical depth effects on fluorescence imaging of cardiac propagation. Biophys J 2004; 85:4134-45. [PMID: 14645100 PMCID: PMC1303712 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(03)74825-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical mapping with voltage-sensitive dyes provides a high-resolution technique to observe cardiac electrodynamic behavior. Although most studies assume that the fluorescent signal is emitted from the surface layer of cells, the effects of signal attenuation with depth on signal interpretation are still unclear. This simulation study examines the effects of a depth-weighted signal on epicardial activation patterns and filament localization. We simulated filament behavior using a detailed cardiac model, and compared the signal obtained from the top (epicardial) layer of the spatial domain with the calculated weighted signal. General observations included a prolongation of the action upstroke duration, early upstroke initiation, and reduction in signal amplitude in the weighted signal. A shallow filament was found to produce a dual-humped action potential morphology consistent with previously reported observations. Simulated scroll wave breakup exhibited effects such as the false appearance of graded potentials, apparent supramaximal conduction velocities, and a spatially blurred signal with the local amplitude dependent upon the immediate subepicardial activity; the combination of these effects produced a corresponding change in the accuracy of filament localization. Our results indicate that the depth-dependent optical signal has significant consequences on the interpretation of epicardial activation dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark-Anthony Bray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, USA.
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Hyatt CJ, Mironov SF, Wellner M, Berenfeld O, Popp AK, Weitz DA, Jalife J, Pertsov AM. Synthesis of voltage-sensitive fluorescence signals from three-dimensional myocardial activation patterns. Biophys J 2004; 85:2673-83. [PMID: 14507730 PMCID: PMC1303491 DOI: 10.1016/s0006-3495(03)74690-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Voltage-sensitive fluorescent dyes are commonly used to measure cardiac electrical activity. Recent studies indicate, however, that optical action potentials (OAPs) recorded from the myocardial surface originate from a widely distributed volume beneath the surface and may contain useful information regarding intramural activation. The first step toward obtaining this information is to predict OAPs from known patterns of three-dimensional (3-D) electrical activity. To achieve this goal, we developed a two-stage model in which the output of a 3-D ionic model of electrical excitation serves as the input to an optical model of light scattering and absorption inside heart tissue. The two-stage model permits unique optical signatures to be obtained for given 3-D patterns of electrical activity for direct comparison with experimental data, thus yielding information about intramural electrical activity. To illustrate applications of the model, we simulated surface fluorescence signals produced by 3-D electrical activity during epicardial and endocardial pacing. We discovered that OAP upstroke morphology was highly sensitive to the transmural component of wave front velocity and could be used to predict wave front orientation with respect to the surface. These findings demonstrate the potential of the model for obtaining useful 3-D information about intramural propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Hyatt
- Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, USA
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Racker DK. The AV junction region of the heart: a comprehensive study correlating gross anatomy and direct three-dimensional analysis. Part II. Morphology and cytoarchitecture. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2004; 286:H1853-71. [PMID: 15072972 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.01205.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This “Part II morphology and cytoarchitecture” study is based on paraffin-embedded specimens in which the extracellular and intracellular matrix are preserved; single parallel, perpendicular, and transverse serial sections of the entire atrioventricular (AV) junction region (AVJR) and their correlation with photographs of the tissue blocks. As in Part I, the same major new findings are: 1) a coronary sinus fossa is formed by the superoposterior right medial atria wall (MAW), the left atrium, and the coronary sinus roof; 2) the posterior MAW forms two myocardial bridges and is isolated from the sinus venarum by the floor of the inferior vena cava; 3) the tendon of Todaro terminates in the superior lip of the coronary sinus ostium; 4) only ordinary myocardium contacts the annulus fibrosus, and there is little to no collagen separating its myofibers and tissues; 5) the ventricular septum shoulder is humped shaped, completely overlaid by annular myocardium, and joined by struts of papillary muscle; 6) the membranous septum joining the ventricular septum shoulder to the crista supraventricularis forms part of the aortic valve sinus walls; and 7) myocardium of the atrionodal bundles is aggregated into numerous small fascicles encased by collagen and is outside of the MAW as are the other specialized tissues. The proximal AV bundle and medial atrionodal bundle are aligned to the medial leg of Koch's triangle and the tendon of Todaro. These data show, therefore, that the AVJR contains two overlapping atrial circuits. In the MAW, acivation of the posterior region is delayed because of the two myocardial bridges. Puncture of the AVJR can produce communication with an extracardiac space, posteriorly and medially, and with the aorta, anteriorly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darlene K Racker
- Department of Medicine, Cardiology and The Feinberg Cardiovascular Research Institute, Northwestern University Feinberg Medical School, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA.
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Abstract
UNLABELLED The role for fiber orientation as a determinant of conduction and block in the posterior (slow pathway, SP) and anterior (fast pathway, FP) AV nodal inputs was examined using multiple extracellular bipolar and intracellular microelectrode recordings in the superfused canine AV junction (N = 14). RESULTS In both inputs, antegrade longitudinal conduction velocity decremented in association with decreased action potential amplitude and dV/dt(max). A similar decrement was also present in the SP transverse to fiber orientation. SP conduction block occurred preferentially near its insertion into the compact AV node with very slow conduction (0.05 +/- 0.01 M/sec) preceding conduction block. Distal antegrade FP conduction block occurred before conduction block occurred at more proximal FP sites. Conduction in the distal FP was maintained at a higher velocity (0.11 +/- 0.01 M/sec, p < 0.05 vs. SP) before 2:1 conduction block was observed. Conduction velocity, action potential amplitude, and dV/dt(max) were not different at any SP or FP site for paired activation transverse and longitudinal to fiber orientation. CONCLUSIONS The data do not demonstrate a role for fiber orientation determining decremental conduction and block in transitional cell AV nodal inputs. Decremental conduction in both the SP and FP inputs is consistent with a proximal-to-distal gradient in resting membrane potential, action potential amplitude, dV/dt(max), and intracellular excitability in transitional cells during antegrade activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene Patterson
- College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA.
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Restivo M, Kozhevnikov DO, Boutjdir M. Optical mapping of activation patterns in an animal model of congenital heart block. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2001; 280:H1889-95. [PMID: 11247806 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.2001.280.4.h1889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Congenital heart block (CHB) is associated with high mortality and affects children of mothers with autoantibodies (IgG) to ribonucleoproteins SSB/La and SSA/Ro. IgG from mothers of children with CHB (positive IgG) was used to assess activation patterns in both the right atrium (RA) and right ventricle (RV) of Langendorff-perfused young rabbit hearts. Optical action potentials (AP) were obtained by using a 124-site photodiode array with 4-[-[2-(di-n-butylamino)-6-naphthyl]vinyl]pyridinium. Optical APs were recorded to simultaneously image activation patterns from the RA and RV. Perfusion of positive IgG (800--1,200 micro resulted in sinus bradycardia and varying degrees of heart block. Activation maps revealed marked conduction delay at the sinoatrial junction but only minor changes in overall atrial and ventricular activation patterns. No conduction disturbances were seen in the presence of IgG from mothers with healthy children. In conclusion, besides atrioventricular (AV) block, positive IgG induces sinus bradycardia. These results establish that the sequelae of CHB are associated with impaired intrasinus and/or sinoatrial conduction. The findings raise the possibility that sinus bradycardia in the developing heart may indicate the potential for AV conduction disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Restivo
- Molecular and Cellular Cardiology Program, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Health Care System, Brooklyn, New York 11209, USA.
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VanderBrink BA, Sellitto C, Saba S, Link MS, Zhu W, Homoud MK, Estes NA, Paul DL, Wang PJ. Connexin40-deficient mice exhibit atrioventricular nodal and infra-Hisian conduction abnormalities. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol 2000; 11:1270-6. [PMID: 11083248 DOI: 10.1046/j.1540-8167.2000.01270.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Previous electrophysiologic investigations have described AV conduction disturbances in connexin40 (Cx40)-deficient mice. Because expression of Cx40 occurs predominantly in the atria and His-Purkinje system of the mouse heart, the AV conduction disturbances were thought to be secondary to disruption in His-Purkinje function. However, the lack of a His-bundle electrogram recording in the mouse has limited further investigation of the importance of Cx40. Using a novel technique to record His-bundle recordings in Cx40-deficient mice, we define the physiologic importance of deficiencies in Cx40. METHODS AND RESULTS Ten Cx40-/- mice and 11 Cx40+/+ controls underwent a blinded, in vivo, closed chest electrophysiology study at 9 to 12 weeks of age. In the Cx40-/- mice, the PR interval was significantly longer compared with Cx40+/+ mice (44.6+/-6.4 msec vs 36.0+/-4.1 msec, P = 0.002). Not only the HV interval (14.0+/-3.0 msec vs 10.4+/-1.2 msec, P = 0.003) but also the AH interval (33.2+/-4.8 msec vs 27.1+/-3.7 msec, P = 0.006), AV Wenckebach cycle lengths, and AV nodal effective and functional refractory periods were prolonged in Cx40-/- compared with Cx40+/+ mice. CONCLUSION Cx40-deficient mice exhibit significant delay not only in infra-Hisian conduction, as would be expected from the expression of Cx40 in the His-Purkinje system but also in the electrophysiologic parameters that reflect AV nodal conduction. Our data suggest a significant role of Cx40 in atrionodal conduction and/or in proximal His-bundle conduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A VanderBrink
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Service, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
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Baker LC, London B, Choi BR, Koren G, Salama G. Enhanced dispersion of repolarization and refractoriness in transgenic mouse hearts promotes reentrant ventricular tachycardia. Circ Res 2000; 86:396-407. [PMID: 10700444 DOI: 10.1161/01.res.86.4.396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The heterogeneous distribution of ion channels in ventricular muscle gives rise to spatial variations in action potential (AP) duration (APD) and contributes to the repolarization sequence in healthy hearts. It has been proposed that enhanced dispersion of repolarization may underlie arrhythmias in diseases with markedly different causes. We engineered dominant negative transgenic mice that have prolonged QT intervals and arrhythmias due to the loss of a slowly inactivating K(+) current. Optical techniques are now applied to map APs and investigate the mechanisms underlying these arrhythmias. Hearts from transgenic and control mice were isolated, perfused, stained with di-4-ANEPPS, and paced at multiple sites to optically map APs, activation, and repolarization sequences at baseline and during arrhythmias. Transgenic hearts exhibited a 2-fold prolongation of APD, less shortening (8% versus 40%) of APDs with decreasing cycle length, altered restitution kinetics, and greater gradients of refractoriness from apex to base compared with control hearts. A premature impulse applied at the apex of transgenic hearts produced sustained reentrant ventricular tachycardia (n=14 of 15 hearts) that did not occur with stimulation at the base (n=8) or at any location in control hearts (n=12). In transgenic hearts, premature impulses initiated reentry by encountering functional lines of conduction block caused by enhanced dispersion of refractoriness. Reentrant VT had stable (>30 minutes) alternating long/short APDs associated with long/short cycle lengths and T wave alternans. Thus, optical mapping of genetically engineered mice may help elucidate some electrophysiological mechanisms that underlie arrhythmias and sudden death in human cardiac disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- L C Baker
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
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Salama G, Choi BR. Images of Action Potential Propagation in Heart. NEWS IN PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCES : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY PRODUCED JOINTLY BY THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PHYSIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND THE AMERICAN PHYSIOLOGICAL SOCIETY 2000; 15:33-41. [PMID: 11390873 DOI: 10.1152/physiologyonline.2000.15.1.33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Activation and repolarization across mammalian hearts follow complex three-dimensional pathways that are governed by fiber structure, intercellular coupling, and action potentials (APs) with spatially heterogeneous properties. Voltage-sensitive dyes and imaging techniques offer new insights on how spatiotemporal heterogeneities of APs govern propagation, repolarization, and AV node conduction and help us visualize arrhythmias with previously unattainable details.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy Salama
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 3500 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
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