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Trayanova NA, Lyon A, Shade J, Heijman J. Computational modeling of cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis: toward clinical translation. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1265-1333. [PMID: 38153307 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00017.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The complexity of cardiac electrophysiology, involving dynamic changes in numerous components across multiple spatial (from ion channel to organ) and temporal (from milliseconds to days) scales, makes an intuitive or empirical analysis of cardiac arrhythmogenesis challenging. Multiscale mechanistic computational models of cardiac electrophysiology provide precise control over individual parameters, and their reproducibility enables a thorough assessment of arrhythmia mechanisms. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of models of cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias, from the single cell to the organ level, and how they can be leveraged to better understand rhythm disorders in cardiac disease and to improve heart patient care. Key issues related to model development based on experimental data are discussed, and major families of human cardiomyocyte models and their applications are highlighted. An overview of organ-level computational modeling of cardiac electrophysiology and its clinical applications in personalized arrhythmia risk assessment and patient-specific therapy of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias is provided. The advancements presented here highlight how patient-specific computational models of the heart reconstructed from patient data have achieved success in predicting risk of sudden cardiac death and guiding optimal treatments of heart rhythm disorders. Finally, an outlook toward potential future advances, including the combination of mechanistic modeling and machine learning/artificial intelligence, is provided. As the field of cardiology is embarking on a journey toward precision medicine, personalized modeling of the heart is expected to become a key technology to guide pharmaceutical therapy, deployment of devices, and surgical interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Trayanova
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Aurore Lyon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Division of Heart and Lungs, Department of Medical Physiology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Julie Shade
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Alliance for Cardiovascular Diagnostic and Treatment Innovation, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Jordi Heijman
- Department of Cardiology, CARIM School for Cardiovascular Diseases, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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2
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Research Progress on Natural Products’ Therapeutic Effects on Atrial Fibrillation by Regulating Ion Channels. Cardiovasc Ther 2022; 2022:4559809. [PMID: 35387267 PMCID: PMC8964196 DOI: 10.1155/2022/4559809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) have a therapeutic effect on atrial fibrillation (AF) by regulating the function of ion channels. However, several adverse effects and high recurrence rates after drug withdrawal seriously affect patients’ medication compliance and clinical prognosis. Thus, safer and more effective drugs are urgently needed. Active components extracted from natural products are potential choices for AF therapy. Natural products like Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen, Sophora flavescens Ait., Stephania tetrandra S. Moore., Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi var. thomsonii (Benth.) Vaniot der Maesen., and Coptis chinensis Franch. have a long history in the treatment of arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, stroke, and heart failure in China. Based on the classification of chemical structures, this article discussed the natural product components’ therapeutic effects on atrial fibrillation by regulating ion channels, connexins, and expression of related genes, in order to provide a reference for development of therapeutic drugs for atrial fibrillation.
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3
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Salvador-Montañés Ó, Ramirez RJ, Takemoto Y, Ennis SR, Garcia-Iglesias D, Wang S, Wolfer PJ, Jiang J, Mironov SV, Pandit SV, Jalife J, Berenfeld O. Panoramic Endocardial Optical Mapping Demonstrates Serial Rotors Acceleration and Increasing Complexity of Activity During Onset of Cholinergic Atrial Fibrillation. J Am Heart Assoc 2021; 10:e022300. [PMID: 34726079 PMCID: PMC8751940 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.022300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Activation during onset of atrial fibrillation is poorly understood. We aimed at developing a panoramic optical mapping system for the atria and test the hypothesis that sequential rotors underlie acceleration of atrial fibrillation during onset. Methods and Results Five sheep hearts were Langendorff perfused in the presence of 0.25 µmol/L carbachol. Novel optical system recorded activations simultaneously from the entire left and right atrial endocardial surfaces. Twenty sustained (>40 s) atrial fibrillation episodes were induced by a train and premature stimuli protocol. Movies obtained immediately (Initiation stage) and 30 s (Early Stabilization stage) after premature stimulus were analyzed. Serial rotor formation was observed in all sustained inductions and none in nonsustained inductions. In sustained episodes maximal dominant frequency increased from (mean±SD) 11.5±1.74 Hz during Initiation to 14.79±1.30 Hz at Early Stabilization (P<0.0001) and stabilized thereafter. At rotor sites, mean cycle length (CL) during 10 prerotor activations increased every cycle by 0.53% (P=0.0303) during Initiation and 0.34% (P=0.0003) during Early Stabilization. In contrast, CLs at rotor sites showed abrupt decreases after the rotors appearances by a mean of 9.65% (P<0.0001) during both stages. At Initiation, atria‐wide accelerations and decelerations during rotors showed a net acceleration result whereby post‐rotors atria‐wide minimal CL (CLmin) were 95.5±6.8% of the prerotor CLmin (P=0.0042). In contrast, during Early Stabilization, there was no net acceleration in CLmin during accelerating rotors (prerotor=84.9±11.0% versus postrotor=85.8±10.8% of Initiation, P=0.4029). Levels of rotor drift distance and velocity correlated with atria‐wide acceleration. Nonrotor phase singularity points did not accelerate atria‐wide activation but multiplied during Initiation until Early Stabilization. Increasing number of singularity points, indicating increased complexity, correlated with atria‐wide CLmin reduction (P<0.0001). Conclusions Novel panoramic optical mapping of the atria demonstrates shortening CL at rotor sites during cholinergic atrial fibrillation onset. Atrial fibrillation acceleration toward Early Stabilization correlates with the net result of atria‐wide accelerations during drifting rotors activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Óscar Salvador-Montañés
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Facultad de Medicina Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Pozuelo de Alarcon Mardid Spain.,Hospital Universitario de Torrejón Mardid Spain
| | - Rafael J Ramirez
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,The Department of Physiology and Biophysics Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond VA
| | - Yoshio Takemoto
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Cardiovascular Medicine Gifu Prefectural Tajimi Hospital Tajimi Japan
| | - Steven R Ennis
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Daniel Garcia-Iglesias
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias Oviedo Spain
| | - Sicong Wang
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Stanford University Palo Alto CA
| | - Patrick J Wolfer
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Michigan Technological University Houghton MI
| | - Jiang Jiang
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Sergey V Mironov
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - Sandeep V Pandit
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
| | - José Jalife
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI.,Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III Madrid Spain
| | - Omer Berenfeld
- Center for Arrhythmia Research Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology University of Michigan Ann Arbor MI
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4
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Dasí A, Hernández-Romero I, Gomez JF, Climent AM, Ferrero JM, Trenor B. Analysis of the response of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocyte tissue to I CaL block. A combined in vitro and in silico approach. Comput Biol Med 2021; 137:104796. [PMID: 34461502 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2021.104796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The high incidence of cardiac arrythmias underlines the need for the assessment of pharmacological therapies. In this field of drug efficacy, as in the field of drug safety highlighted by the Comprehensive in Vitro Proarrhythmia Assay initiative, new pillars for research have become crucial: firstly, the integration of in-silico experiments, and secondly the evaluation of fully integrated biological systems, such as human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). In this study, we therefore aimed to combine in-vitro experiments and in-silico simulations to evaluate the antiarrhythmic effect of L-type calcium current (ICaL) block in hiPSC-CMs. For this, hiPSC-CM preparations were cultured and an equivalent virtual tissue was modeled. Re-entry patterns of electrical activation were induced and several biomarkers were obtained before and after ICaL block. The virtual hiPSC-CM simulations were also reproduced using a tissue composed of adult ventricular cardiomyocytes (hAdultV-CMs). The analysis of phases, currents and safety factor for propagation showed an increased size of the re-entry core when ICaL was blocked as a result of depressed cellular excitability. The bigger wavefront curvature yielded reductions of 12.2%, 6.9%, and 4.2% in the frequency of the re-entry for hiPSC-CM cultures, virtual hiPSC-CM, and hAdultV-CM tissues, respectively. Furthermore, ICaL block led to a 47.8% shortening of the vulnerable window for re-entry in the virtual hiPSC-CM tissue and to re-entry vanishment in hAdultV-CM tissue. The consistent behavior between in-vitro and in-silico hiPSC-CMs and between in-silico hiPSC-CMs and hAdultV-CMs evidences that virtual hiPSC-CM tissues are suitable for assessing cardiac efficacy, as done in the present study through the analysis of ICaL block.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Dasí
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Ci2B, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ismael Hernández-Romero
- Department of Signal Theory and Communications and Telematics Systems and Computing, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Spain
| | - Juan F Gomez
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Ci2B, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain; Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andreu M Climent
- Instituto ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose M Ferrero
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Ci2B, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Trenor
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Ci2B, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
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5
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Quah JX, Dharmaprani D, Lahiri A, Tiver K, Ganesan AN. Reconceptualising Atrial Fibrillation Using Renewal Theory: A Novel Approach to the Assessment of Atrial Fibrillation Dynamics. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2021; 10:77-84. [PMID: 34401179 PMCID: PMC8335853 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2020.42] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite a century of research, the mechanisms of AF remain unresolved. A universal motif within AF research has been unstable re-entry, but this remains poorly characterised, with competing key conceptual paradigms of multiple wavelets and more driving rotors. Understanding the mechanisms of AF is clinically relevant, especially with regard to treatment and ablation of the more persistent forms of AF. Here, the authors outline the surprising but reproducible finding that unstable re-entrant circuits are born and destroyed at quasi-stationary rates, a finding based on a branch of mathematics known as renewal theory. Renewal theory may be a way to potentially unify the multiple wavelet and rotor theories. The renewal rate constants are potentially attractive because they are temporally stable parameters of a defined probability distribution (the exponential distribution) and can be estimated with precision and accuracy due to the principles of renewal theory. In this perspective review, this new representational architecture for AF is explained and placed into context, and the clinical and mechanistic implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xian Quah
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Dhani Dharmaprani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anandaroop Lahiri
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Kathryn Tiver
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anand N Ganesan
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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6
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Rodrigo M, Waddell K, Magee S, Rogers AJ, Alhusseini M, Hernandez-Romero I, Costoya-Sánchez A, Liberos A, Narayan SM. Non-invasive Spatial Mapping of Frequencies in Atrial Fibrillation: Correlation With Contact Mapping. Front Physiol 2021; 11:611266. [PMID: 33584334 PMCID: PMC7873897 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.611266] [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: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Regional differences in activation rates may contribute to the electrical substrates that maintain atrial fibrillation (AF), and estimating them non-invasively may help guide ablation or select anti-arrhythmic medications. We tested whether non-invasive assessment of regional AF rate accurately represents intracardiac recordings. Methods: In 47 patients with AF (27 persistent, age 63 ± 13 years) we performed 57-lead non-invasive Electrocardiographic Imaging (ECGI) in AF, simultaneously with 64-pole intracardiac signals of both atria. ECGI was reconstructed by Tikhonov regularization. We constructed personalized 3D AF rate distribution maps by Dominant Frequency (DF) analysis from intracardiac and non-invasive recordings. Results: Raw intracardiac and non-invasive DF differed substantially, by 0.54 Hz [0.13 – 1.37] across bi-atrial regions (R2 = 0.11). Filtering by high spectral organization reduced this difference to 0.10 Hz (cycle length difference of 1 – 11 ms) [0.03 – 0.42] for patient-level comparisons (R2 = 0.62), and 0.19 Hz [0.03 – 0.59] and 0.20 Hz [0.04 – 0.61] for median and highest DF, respectively. Non-invasive and highest DF predicted acute ablation success (p = 0.04). Conclusion: Non-invasive estimation of atrial activation rates is feasible and, when filtered by high spectral organization, provide a moderate estimate of intracardiac recording rates in AF. Non-invasive technology could be an effective tool to identify patients who may respond to AF ablation for personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Rodrigo
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States.,ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kian Waddell
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Sarah Magee
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Albert J Rogers
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Alejandro Liberos
- ITACA Institute, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sanjiv M Narayan
- Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
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7
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Dharmaprani D, Jenkins E, Aguilar M, Quah JX, Lahiri A, Tiver K, Mitchell L, Kuklik P, Meyer C, Willems S, Clayton R, Nash M, Nattel S, McGavigan AD, Ganesan AN. M/M/Infinity Birth-Death Processes - A Quantitative Representational Framework to Summarize and Explain Phase Singularity and Wavelet Dynamics in Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2021; 11:616866. [PMID: 33519522 PMCID: PMC7841497 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.616866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale A quantitative framework to summarize and explain the quasi-stationary population dynamics of unstable phase singularities (PS) and wavelets in human atrial fibrillation (AF) is at present lacking. Building on recent evidence showing that the formation and destruction of PS and wavelets in AF can be represented as renewal processes, we sought to establish such a quantitative framework, which could also potentially provide insight into the mechanisms of spontaneous AF termination. Objectives Here, we hypothesized that the observed number of PS or wavelets in AF could be governed by a common set of renewal rate constants λ f (for PS or wavelet formation) and λ d (PS or wavelet destruction), with steady-state population dynamics modeled as an M/M/∞ birth-death process. We further hypothesized that changes to the M/M/∞ birth-death matrix would explain spontaneous AF termination. Methods and Results AF was studied in in a multimodality, multispecies study in humans, animal experimental models (rats and sheep) and Ramirez-Nattel-Courtemanche model computer simulations. We demonstrated: (i) that λ f and λ d can be combined in a Markov M/M/∞ process to accurately model the observed average number and population distribution of PS and wavelets in all systems at different scales of mapping; and (ii) that slowing of the rate constants λ f and λ d is associated with slower mixing rates of the M/M/∞ birth-death matrix, providing an explanation for spontaneous AF termination. Conclusion M/M/∞ birth-death processes provide an accurate quantitative representational architecture to characterize PS and wavelet population dynamics in AF, by providing governing equations to understand the regeneration of PS and wavelets during sustained AF, as well as providing insight into the mechanism of spontaneous AF termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhani Dharmaprani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Evan Jenkins
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Martin Aguilar
- The Research Center, Montréal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jing X Quah
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Anandaroop Lahiri
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Kathryn Tiver
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Lewis Mitchell
- School of Mathematical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Richard Clayton
- Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Martyn Nash
- Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stanley Nattel
- The Research Center, Montréal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Andrew D McGavigan
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Anand N Ganesan
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
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8
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Ng FS, Handa BS, Li X, Peters NS. Toward Mechanism-Directed Electrophenotype-Based Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2020; 11:987. [PMID: 33013435 PMCID: PMC7493660 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Current treatment approaches for persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) have a ceiling of success of around 50%. This is despite 15 years of developing adjunctive ablation strategies in addition to pulmonary vein isolation to target the underlying arrhythmogenic substrate in AF. A major shortcoming of our current approach to AF treatment is its predominantly empirical nature. This has in part been due to a lack of consensus on the mechanisms that sustain human AF. In this article, we review evidence suggesting that the previous debates on AF being either an organized arrhythmia with a focal driver or a disorganized rhythm sustained by multiple wavelets, may prove to be a false dichotomy. Instead, a range of fibrillation electrophenotypes exists along a continuous spectrum, and the predominant mechanism in an individual case is determined by the nature and extent of remodeling of the underlying substrate. We propose moving beyond the current empirical approach to AF treatment, highlight the need to prescribe AF treatments based on the underlying AF electrophenotype, and review several possible novel mapping algorithms that may be useful in discerning the AF electrophenotype to guide tailored treatments, including Granger Causality mapping.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Siong Ng
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Balvinder S Handa
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Xinyang Li
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas S Peters
- National Heart & Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Quah J, Dharmaprani D, Lahiri A, Schopp M, Mitchell L, Selvanayagam JB, Perry R, Chahadi F, Tung M, Ahmad W, Stoyanov N, Joseph MX, Singleton C, McGavigan AD, Ganesan AN. Prospective cross-sectional study using Poisson renewal theory to study phase singularity formation and destruction rates in atrial fibrillation (RENEWAL-AF): Study design. J Arrhythm 2020; 36:660-667. [PMID: 32782637 PMCID: PMC7411212 DOI: 10.1002/joa3.12363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Unstable functional reentrant circuits known as rotors have been consistently observed in atrial fibrillation and are mechanistically believed critical to the maintenance of the arrhythmia. Recently, using a Poisson renewal theory-based quantitative framework, we have demonstrated that rotor formation (λf) and destruction rates (λd) can be measured using in vivo electrophysiologic data. However, the association of λf and λd with clinical, electrical, and structural markers of atrial fibrillation phenotype is unknown. METHODS RENEWAL-AF is a multicenter prospective cross-sectional study recruiting adult patients with paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation undergoing clinically indicated catheter ablation. Patients will undergo intraprocedural electrophysiologic atrial fibrillation mapping, with λf and λd to be determined from 2-minute unipolar electrogram recordings acquired before ablation. The primary objective will be to determine the association of λf and λd as markers of fibrillatory dynamics with clinical, electrical, and structural markers of atrial fibrillation clinical phenotype, measured by preablation transthoracic echocardiogram and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. An exploratory objective is the noninvasive assessment of λf and λd using surface ECG characteristics via a machine learning approach. RESULTS Not applicable. CONCLUSION This pilot study will provide insight into the correlation between λf/λd with clinical, electrophysiological, and structural markers of atrial fibrillation phenotype and provide a foundation for the development of noninvasive assessment of λf/λd using surface ECG characteristics will help expand the use of λf/λd in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Quah
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Dhani Dharmaprani
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Anandaroop Lahiri
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Madeline Schopp
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Lewis Mitchell
- School of Mathematical SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Joseph B. Selvanayagam
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Rebecca Perry
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Fahd Chahadi
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Matthew Tung
- Sunshine Coast University HospitalBirtinyaQldAustralia
| | | | | | - Majo X. Joseph
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Cameron Singleton
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Andrew D. McGavigan
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Anand N. Ganesan
- College of Medicine and Public HealthFlinders University of South AustraliaAdelaideSAAustralia
- Department of Cardiovascular MedicineFlinders Medical CentreAdelaideSAAustralia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research InstituteAdelaideSAAustralia
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10
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Role of Oxidation-Dependent CaMKII Activation in the Genesis of Abnormal Action Potentials in Atrial Cardiomyocytes: A Simulation Study. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 2020:1597012. [PMID: 32685443 PMCID: PMC7327560 DOI: 10.1155/2020/1597012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia with an increasing incidence rate. Particularly for the aging population, understanding the underlying mechanisms of atrial arrhythmia is important in designing clinical treatment. Recently, experiments have shown that atrial arrhythmia is associated with oxidative stress. In this study, an atrial cell model including oxidative-dependent Ca2+/calmodulin- (CaM-) dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activation was developed to explore the intrinsic mechanisms of atrial arrhythmia induced by oxidative stress. The simulation results showed that oxidative stress caused early afterdepolarizations (EADs) of action potentials by altering the dynamics of transmembrane currents and intracellular calcium cycling. Oxidative stress gradually elevated the concentration of calcium ions in the cytoplasm by enhancing the L-type Ca2+ current and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) calcium release. Owing to increased intracellular calcium concentration, the inward Na+/Ca2+ exchange current was elevated which slowed down the repolarization of the action potential. Thus, the action potential was prolonged and the L-type Ca2+ current was reactivated, resulting in the genesis of EAD. Furthermore, based on the atrial single-cell model, a two-dimensional (2D) ideal tissue model was developed to explore the effect of oxidative stress on the electrical excitation wave conduction in 2D tissue. Simulation results demonstrated that, under oxidative stress conditions, EAD hindered the conduction of electrical excitation and caused an unstable spiral wave, which could disrupt normal cardiac rhythm and cause atrial arrhythmia. This study showed the effects of excess reactive oxygen species on calcium cycling and action potential in atrial myocytes and provided insights regarding atrial arrhythmia induced by oxidative stress.
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11
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Gagné S, Jacquemet V. Time resolution for wavefront and phase singularity tracking using activation maps in cardiac propagation models. CHAOS (WOODBURY, N.Y.) 2020; 30:033132. [PMID: 32237790 DOI: 10.1063/1.5133077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The dynamics of cardiac fibrillation can be described by the number, the trajectory, the stability, and the lifespan of phase singularities (PSs). Accurate PS tracking is straightforward in simple uniform tissues but becomes more challenging as fibrosis, structural heterogeneity, and strong anisotropy are combined. In this paper, we derive a mathematical formulation for PS tracking in two-dimensional reaction-diffusion models. The method simultaneously tracks wavefronts and PS based on activation maps at full spatiotemporal resolution. PS tracking is formulated as a linear assignment problem solved by the Hungarian algorithm. The cost matrix incorporates information about distances between PS, chirality, and wavefronts. A graph of PS trajectories is generated to represent the creations and annihilations of PS pairs. Structure-preserving graph transformations are applied to provide a simplified description at longer observation time scales. The approach is validated in 180 simulations of fibrillation in four different types of substrates featuring, respectively, wavebreaks, ionic heterogeneities, fibrosis, and breakthrough patterns. The time step of PS tracking is studied in the range from 0.1 to 10 ms. The results show the benefits of improving time resolution from 1 to 0.1 ms. The tracking error rate decreases by an order of magnitude because the occurrence of simultaneous events becomes less likely. As observed on PS survival curves, the graph-based analysis facilitates the identification of macroscopically stable rotors despite wavefront fragmentation by fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Gagné
- Institut de Génie Biomédical, Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
| | - Vincent Jacquemet
- Institut de Génie Biomédical, Département de Pharmacologie et Physiologie, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, Quebec H3C 3J7, Canada
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12
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Filos D, Tachmatzidis D, Maglaveras N, Vassilikos V, Chouvarda I. Understanding the Beat-to-Beat Variations of P-Waves Morphologies in AF Patients During Sinus Rhythm: A Scoping Review of the Atrial Simulation Studies. Front Physiol 2019; 10:742. [PMID: 31275161 PMCID: PMC6591370 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The remarkable advances in high-performance computing and the resulting increase of the computational power have the potential to leverage computational cardiology toward improving our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms of arrhythmias, such as Atrial Fibrillation (AF). In AF, a complex interaction between various triggers and the atrial substrate is considered to be the leading cause of AF initiation and perpetuation. In electrocardiography (ECG), P-wave is supposed to reflect atrial depolarization. It has been found that even during sinus rhythm (SR), multiple P-wave morphologies are present in AF patients with a history of AF, suggesting a higher dispersion of the conduction route in this population. In this scoping review, we focused on the mechanisms which modify the electrical substrate of the atria in AF patients, while investigating the existence of computational models that simulate the propagation of the electrical signal through different routes. The adopted review methodology is based on a structured analytical framework which includes the extraction of the keywords based on an initial limited bibliographic search, the extensive literature search and finally the identification of relevant articles based on the reference list of the studies. The leading mechanisms identified were classified according to their scale, spanning from mechanisms in the cell, tissue or organ level, and the produced outputs. The computational modeling approaches for each of the factors that influence the initiation and the perpetuation of AF are presented here to provide a clear overview of the existing literature. Several levels of categorization were adopted while the studies which aim to translate their findings to ECG phenotyping are highlighted. The results denote the availability of multiple models, which are appropriate under specific conditions. However, the consideration of complex scenarios taking into account multiple spatiotemporal scales, personalization of electrophysiological and anatomical models and the reproducibility in terms of ECG phenotyping has only partially been tackled so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios Filos
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Nicos Maglaveras
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Vassilios Vassilikos
- 3rd Cardiology Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioanna Chouvarda
- Lab of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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13
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Zaitsev AV, Torres NS, Cawley KM, Sabry AD, Warren JS, Warren M. Conduction in the right and left ventricle is differentially regulated by protein kinases and phosphatases: implications for arrhythmogenesis. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2019; 316:H1507-H1527. [PMID: 30875259 PMCID: PMC6620685 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00660.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The "stress" kinases cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), phosphorylate the Na+ channel Nav1.5 subunit to regulate its function. However, how the channel regulation translates to ventricular conduction is poorly understood. We hypothesized that the stress kinases positively and differentially regulate conduction in the right (RV) and the left (LV) ventricles. We applied the CaMKII blocker KN93 (2.75 μM), PKA blocker H89 (10 μM), and broad-acting phosphatase blocker calyculin (30 nM) in rabbit hearts paced at a cycle length (CL) of 150-8,000 ms. We used optical mapping to determine the distribution of local conduction delays (inverse of conduction velocity). Control hearts exhibited constant and uniform conduction at all tested CLs. Calyculin (15-min perfusion) accelerated conduction, with greater effect in the RV (by 15.3%) than in the LV (by 4.1%; P < 0.05). In contrast, both KN93 and H89 slowed down conduction in a chamber-, time-, and CL-dependent manner, with the strongest effect in the RV outflow tract (RVOT). Combined KN93 and H89 synergistically promoted conduction slowing in the RV (KN93: 24.7%; H89: 29.9%; and KN93 + H89: 114.2%; P = 0.0016) but not the LV. The progressive depression of RV conduction led to conduction block and reentrant arrhythmias. Protein expression levels of both the CaMKII-δ isoform and the PKA catalytic subunit were higher in the RVOT than in the apical LV (P < 0.05). Thus normal RV conduction requires a proper balance between kinase and phosphatase activity. Dysregulation of this balance due to pharmacological interventions or disease is potentially proarrhythmic. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that uniform ventricular conduction requires a precise physiological balance of the activities of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), PKA, and phosphatases, which involves region-specific expression of CaMKII and PKA. Inhibiting CaMKII and/or PKA activity elicits nonuniform conduction depression, with the right ventricle becoming vulnerable to the development of conduction disturbances and ventricular fibrillation/ventricular tachycardia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey V Zaitsev
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Natalia S Torres
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Keiko M Cawley
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Amira D Sabry
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Junco S Warren
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Mark Warren
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah
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14
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Park HS, Jeong DS, Yu HT, Pak HN, Shim J, Kim JY, Kim J, Lee JM, Kim KH, Roh SY, Cho YJ, Kim YH, Yoon NS. 2018 Korean Guidelines for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Part I. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARRHYTHMIA 2018. [DOI: 10.18501/arrhythmia.2018.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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15
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Vagos M, van Herck IGM, Sundnes J, Arevalo HJ, Edwards AG, Koivumäki JT. Computational Modeling of Electrophysiology and Pharmacotherapy of Atrial Fibrillation: Recent Advances and Future Challenges. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1221. [PMID: 30233399 PMCID: PMC6131668 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF) is broad, with components related to the unique and diverse cellular electrophysiology of atrial myocytes, structural complexity, and heterogeneity of atrial tissue, and pronounced disease-associated remodeling of both cells and tissue. A major challenge for rational design of AF therapy, particularly pharmacotherapy, is integrating these multiscale characteristics to identify approaches that are both efficacious and independent of ventricular contraindications. Computational modeling has long been touted as a basis for achieving such integration in a rapid, economical, and scalable manner. However, computational pipelines for AF-specific drug screening are in their infancy, and while the field is progressing quite rapidly, major challenges remain before computational approaches can fill the role of workhorse in rational design of AF pharmacotherapies. In this review, we briefly detail the unique aspects of AF pathophysiology that determine requirements for compounds targeting AF rhythm control, with emphasis on delimiting mechanisms that promote AF triggers from those providing substrate or supporting reentry. We then describe modeling approaches that have been used to assess the outcomes of drugs acting on established AF targets, as well as on novel promising targets including the ultra-rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium current, the acetylcholine-activated potassium current and the small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel. Finally, we describe how heterogeneity and variability are being incorporated into AF-specific models, and how these approaches are yielding novel insights into the basic physiology of disease, as well as aiding identification of the important molecular players in the complex AF etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Vagos
- Computational Physiology Department, Simula Research Laboratory, Lysaker, Norway
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ilsbeth G. M. van Herck
- Computational Physiology Department, Simula Research Laboratory, Lysaker, Norway
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Joakim Sundnes
- Computational Physiology Department, Simula Research Laboratory, Lysaker, Norway
- Center for Cardiological Innovation, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hermenegild J. Arevalo
- Computational Physiology Department, Simula Research Laboratory, Lysaker, Norway
- Center for Cardiological Innovation, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andrew G. Edwards
- Computational Physiology Department, Simula Research Laboratory, Lysaker, Norway
- Center for Cardiological Innovation, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jussi T. Koivumäki
- BioMediTech Institute and Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Tampere University of Technology, Tampere, Finland
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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16
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Lawson BA, Burrage K, Burrage P, Drovandi CC, Bueno-Orovio A. Slow Recovery of Excitability Increases Ventricular Fibrillation Risk as Identified by Emulation. Front Physiol 2018; 9:1114. [PMID: 30210355 PMCID: PMC6121112 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.01114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Rotor stability and meandering are key mechanisms determining and sustaining cardiac fibrillation, with important implications for anti-arrhythmic drug development. However, little is yet known on how rotor dynamics are modulated by variability in cellular electrophysiology, particularly on kinetic properties of ion channel recovery. Methods: We propose a novel emulation approach, based on Gaussian process regression augmented with machine learning, for data enrichment, automatic detection, classification, and analysis of re-entrant biomarkers in cardiac tissue. More than 5,000 monodomain simulations of long-lasting arrhythmic episodes with Fenton-Karma ionic dynamics, further enriched by emulation to 80 million electrophysiological scenarios, were conducted to investigate the role of variability in ion channel densities and kinetics in modulating rotor-driven arrhythmic behavior. Results: Our methods predicted the class of excitation behavior with classification accuracy up to 96%, and emulation effectively predicted frequency, stability, and spatial biomarkers of functional re-entry. We demonstrate that the excitation wavelength interpretation of re-entrant behavior hides critical information about rotor persistence and devolution into fibrillation. In particular, whereas action potential duration directly modulates rotor frequency and meandering, critical windows of excitability are identified as the main determinants of breakup. Further novel electrophysiological insights of particular relevance for ventricular arrhythmias arise from our multivariate analysis, including the role of incomplete activation of slow inward currents in mediating tissue rate-dependence and dispersion of repolarization, and the emergence of slow recovery of excitability as a significant promoter of this mechanism of dispersion and increased arrhythmic risk. Conclusions: Our results mechanistically explain pro-arrhythmic effects of class Ic anti-arrhythmics in the ventricles despite their established role in the pharmacological management of atrial fibrillation. This is mediated by their slow recovery of excitability mode of action, promoting incomplete activation of slow inward currents and therefore increased dispersion of repolarization, given the larger influence of these currents in modulating the action potential in the ventricles compared to the atria. These results exemplify the potential of emulation techniques in elucidating novel mechanisms of arrhythmia and further application to cardiac electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brodie A Lawson
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Kevin Burrage
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.,Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela Burrage
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christopher C Drovandi
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Mathematical and Statistical Frontiers, School of Mathematical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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17
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Calkins H, Hindricks G, Cappato R, Kim YH, Saad EB, Aguinaga L, Akar JG, Badhwar V, Brugada J, Camm J, Chen PS, Chen SA, Chung MK, Cosedis Nielsen J, Curtis AB, Davies DW, Day JD, d’Avila A, (Natasja) de Groot NMS, Di Biase L, Duytschaever M, Edgerton JR, Ellenbogen KA, Ellinor PT, Ernst S, Fenelon G, Gerstenfeld EP, Haines DE, Haissaguerre M, Helm RH, Hylek E, Jackman WM, Jalife J, Kalman JM, Kautzner J, Kottkamp H, Kuck KH, Kumagai K, Lee R, Lewalter T, Lindsay BD, Macle L, Mansour M, Marchlinski FE, Michaud GF, Nakagawa H, Natale A, Nattel S, Okumura K, Packer D, Pokushalov E, Reynolds MR, Sanders P, Scanavacca M, Schilling R, Tondo C, Tsao HM, Verma A, Wilber DJ, Yamane T. 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. Europace 2018; 20:e1-e160. [PMID: 29016840 PMCID: PMC5834122 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eux274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 681] [Impact Index Per Article: 113.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hugh Calkins
- From the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Riccardo Cappato
- Humanitas Research Hospital, Arrhythmias and Electrophysiology Research Center, Milan, Italy (Dr. Cappato is now with the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy, and IRCCS, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Milan, Italy)
| | | | - Eduardo B Saad
- Hospital Pro-Cardiaco and Hospital Samaritano, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Vinay Badhwar
- West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV
| | - Josep Brugada
- Cardiovascular Institute, Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - John Camm
- St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - D Wyn Davies
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - John D Day
- Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute, Salt Lake City, UT
| | | | | | - Luigi Di Biase
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore-Einstein Center for Heart & Vascular Care, Bronx, NY
| | | | | | | | | | - Sabine Ernst
- Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Guilherme Fenelon
- Albert Einstein Jewish Hospital, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | - Elaine Hylek
- Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
| | - Warren M Jackman
- Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Jose Jalife
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, the National Center for Cardiovascular Research Carlos III (CNIC) and CIBERCV, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jonathan M Kalman
- Royal Melbourne Hospital and University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Josef Kautzner
- Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hans Kottkamp
- Hirslanden Hospital, Department of Electrophysiology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Richard Lee
- Saint Louis University Medical School, St. Louis, MO
| | - Thorsten Lewalter
- Department of Cardiology and Intensive Care, Hospital Munich-Thalkirchen, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Laurent Macle
- Montreal Heart Institute, Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | | | - Francis E Marchlinski
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Hiroshi Nakagawa
- Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK
| | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX
| | - Stanley Nattel
- Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada, McGill University, Montreal, Canada, and University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ken Okumura
- Division of Cardiology, Saiseikai Kumamoto Hospital, Kumamoto, Japan
| | | | - Evgeny Pokushalov
- State Research Institute of Circulation Pathology, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | | | - Prashanthan Sanders
- Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | | | - Claudio Tondo
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Center, Centro Cardiologico Monzino, IRCCS, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Atul Verma
- Southlake Regional Health Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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WITHDRAWN: 2017 HRS/EHRA/ECAS/APHRS/SOLAECE expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation. J Arrhythm 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.joa.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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19
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Sánchez C, Bueno-Orovio A, Pueyo E, Rodríguez B. Atrial Fibrillation Dynamics and Ionic Block Effects in Six Heterogeneous Human 3D Virtual Atria with Distinct Repolarization Dynamics. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2017; 5:29. [PMID: 28534025 PMCID: PMC5420585 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2017.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually manifests as reentrant circuits propagating through the whole atria creating chaotic activation patterns. Little is yet known about how differences in electrophysiological and ionic properties between patients modulate reentrant patterns in AF. The goal of this study is to quantify how variability in action potential duration (APD) at different stages of repolarization determines AF dynamics and their modulation by ionic block using a set of virtual whole-atria human models. Six human whole-atria models are constructed based on the same anatomical structure and fiber orientation, but with different electrophysiological phenotypes. Membrane kinetics for each whole-atria model are selected with distinct APD characteristics at 20, 50, and 90% repolarization, from an experimentally calibrated population of human atrial action potential models, including AF remodeling and acetylcholine parasympathetic effects. Our simulations show that in all whole-atria models, reentrant circuits tend to organize around the pulmonary veins and the right atrial appendage, thus leading to higher dominant frequency (DF) and more organized activation in the left atrium than in the right atrium. Differences in APD in all phases of repolarization (not only APD90) yielded quantitative differences in fibrillation patterns with long APD associated with slower and more regular dynamics. Long APD50 and APD20 were associated with increased interatrial conduction block and interatrial differences in DF and organization index, creating reentry instability and self-termination in some cases. Specific inhibitions of IK1, INaK, or INa reduce DF and organization of the arrhythmia by enlarging wave meandering, reducing the number of secondary wavelets, and promoting interatrial block in all six virtual patients, especially for the phenotypes with short APD at 20, 50, and/or 90% repolarization. This suggests that therapies aiming at prolonging the early phase of repolarization might constitute effective antiarrhythmic strategies for the pharmacological management of AF. In summary, simulations report significant differences in atrial fibrillatory dynamics resulting from differences in APD at all phases of repolarization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sánchez
- Biosignal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS), I3A and IIS, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Defense University Centre (CUD), General Military Academy of Zaragoza (AGM), Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Esther Pueyo
- Biosignal Interpretation and Computational Simulation (BSICoS), I3A and IIS, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.,Biomedical Research Networking Center in Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Blanca Rodríguez
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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20
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Warren M, Sciuto KJ, Taylor TG, Garg V, Torres NS, Shibayama J, Spitzer KW, Zaitsev AV. Blockade of CaMKII depresses conduction preferentially in the right ventricular outflow tract and promotes ischemic ventricular fibrillation in the rabbit heart. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2017; 312:H752-H767. [PMID: 28130334 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00347.2016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) regulates the principle ion channels mediating cardiac excitability and conduction, but how this regulation translates to the normal and ischemic heart remains unknown. Diverging results on CaMKII regulation of Na+ channels further prevent predicting how CaMKII activity regulates excitability and conduction in the intact heart. To address this deficiency, we tested the effects of the CaMKII blocker KN93 (1 and 2.75 μM) and its inactive analog KN92 (2.75 μM) on conduction and excitability in the left (LV) and right (RV) ventricles of rabbit hearts during normal perfusion and global ischemia. We used optical mapping to determine local conduction delays and the optical action potential (OAP) upstroke velocity (dV/dtmax). At baseline, local conduction delays were similar between RV and LV, whereas the OAP dV/dtmax was lower in RV than in LV. At 2.75 μM, KN93 heterogeneously slowed conduction and reduced dV/dtmax, with the largest effect in the RV outflow tract (RVOT). This effect was further exacerbated by ischemia, leading to recurrent conduction block in the RVOT and early ventricular fibrillation (at 6.7 ± 0.9 vs. 18.2 ± 0.8 min of ischemia in control, P < 0.0001). Neither KN92 nor 1 μM KN93 depressed OAP dV/dtmax or conduction. Rabbit cardiomyocytes isolated from RVOT exhibited a significantly lower dV/dtmax than those isolated from the LV. KN93 (2.75 μM) significantly reduced dV/dtmax in cells from both locations. This led to frequency-dependent intermittent activation failure occurring predominantly in RVOT cells. Thus CaMKII blockade exacerbates intrinsically lower excitability in the RVOT, which is proarrhythmic during ischemia.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) blockade exacerbates intrinsically lower excitability in the right ventricular outflow tract, which causes highly nonuniform chamber-specific slowing of conduction and facilitates ventricular fibrillation during ischemia. Constitutive CaMKII activity is necessary for uniform and safe ventricular conduction, and CaMKII block is potentially proarrhythmic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Warren
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Katie J Sciuto
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Tyson G Taylor
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Vivek Garg
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Natalia S Torres
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Junko Shibayama
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Kenneth W Spitzer
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alexey V Zaitsev
- Nora Eccles Harrison Cardiovascular Research and Training Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
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21
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Aguilar M, Nattel S. The Past, Present, and Potential Future of Sodium Channel Block as an Atrial Fibrillation Suppressing Strategy. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2016; 66:432-40. [PMID: 25923324 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000000271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Despite major advances in arrhythmia therapy, atrial fibrillation (AF) remains a challenge. A significant limitation in AF management is the lack of safe and effective drugs to restore and/or maintain sinus rhythm. The rational design of a new generation of AF-selective Na(+) channel blockers (NCBs) is emerging as a promising AF-suppressing strategy. Recent theoretical and experimental advances have generated insights into the mechanisms underlying AF maintenance and termination by antiarrhythmic drugs. Our understanding of antiarrhythmic drug-induced proarrhythmia has also grown in sophistication. These discoveries have created new possibilities in therapeutic targeting and renewed interest in improved NCB antiarrhythmic drugs. Recently described differences in atrial versus ventricular electrophysiology can be exploited in the prospective design of atrial-selective NCBs. Furthermore, state-dependent block has been shown to be an important modulator of NCB rate selectivity. Together, differential atrial-ventricular electrophysiological actions and state-dependent block form the backbone for the rational design of an AF-selective NCB. Synergistic combinations incorporating both NCB and block of K(+) currents may allow for further enhancement of AF selectivity. Future work on translating these basic research advances into the development of an optimized AF-selective NCB has the potential to provide safer and more effective pharmacotherapeutic options for AF, thereby fulfilling a major unmet clinical need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Aguilar
- *Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Québec, Canada; †Department of Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada; ‡Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada; §Department of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Québec, Canada; and ¶Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
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22
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Grandi E, Maleckar MM. Anti-arrhythmic strategies for atrial fibrillation: The role of computational modeling in discovery, development, and optimization. Pharmacol Ther 2016; 168:126-142. [PMID: 27612549 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2016.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with increased risk of cerebrovascular stroke, and with several other pathologies, including heart failure. Current therapies for AF are targeted at reducing risk of stroke (anticoagulation) and tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy (rate or rhythm control). Rate control, typically achieved by atrioventricular nodal blocking drugs, is often insufficient to alleviate symptoms. Rhythm control approaches include antiarrhythmic drugs, electrical cardioversion, and ablation strategies. Here, we offer several examples of how computational modeling can provide a quantitative framework for integrating multiscale data to: (a) gain insight into multiscale mechanisms of AF; (b) identify and test pharmacological and electrical therapy and interventions; and (c) support clinical decisions. We review how modeling approaches have evolved and contributed to the research pipeline and preclinical development and discuss future directions and challenges in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Grandi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, USA.
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23
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Liberos A, Bueno-Orovio A, Rodrigo M, Ravens U, Hernandez-Romero I, Fernandez-Aviles F, Guillem MS, Rodriguez B, Climent AM. Balance between sodium and calcium currents underlying chronic atrial fibrillation termination: An in silico intersubject variability study. Heart Rhythm 2016; 13:2358-2365. [PMID: 27569443 PMCID: PMC5221730 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2016.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial remodeling as a result of long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) induces substrate modifications that lead to different perpetuation mechanisms than in paroxysmal AF and a reduction in the efficacy of antiarrhythmic treatments. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to identify the ionic current modifications that could destabilize reentries during chronic AF and serve to personalize antiarrhythmic strategies. METHODS A population of 173 mathematical models of remodeled human atrial tissue with realistic intersubject variability was developed based on action potential recordings of 149 patients diagnosed with AF. The relationship of each ionic current with AF maintenance and the dynamics of functional reentries (rotor meandering, dominant frequency) were evaluated by means of 3-dimensional simulations. RESULTS Self-sustained reentries were maintained in 126 (73%) of the simulations. AF perpetuation was associated with higher expressions of INa and ICaL (P <.01), with no significant differences in the remaining currents. ICaL blockade promoted AF extinction in 30% of these 126 models. The mechanism of AF termination was related with collisions between rotors because of an increase in rotor meandering (1.71 ± 2.01cm2) and presented an increased efficacy in models with a depressed INa (P <.01). CONCLUSION Mathematical simulations based on a population of models representing intersubject variability allow the identification of ionic mechanisms underlying rotor dynamics and the definition of new personalized pharmacologic strategies. Our results suggest that the underlying mechanism of the diverging success of ICaL block as an antiarrhythmic strategy is dependent on the basal availability of sodium and calcium ion channel conductivities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Liberos
- ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain; Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.
| | | | - Miguel Rodrigo
- ITACA, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Ursula Ravens
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Technical University Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ismael Hernandez-Romero
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain; Department of Signal Theory and Communications, Rey Juan Carlos University, Fuenlabrada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Fernandez-Aviles
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Blanca Rodriguez
- Department of Computer Science, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andreu M Climent
- Cardiology Department, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION SK channels have functional importance in the cardiac atrium of many species, including humans. Pharmacological blockage of SK channels has been reported to be antiarrhythmic in animal models of atrial fibrillation; however, the exact antiarrhythmic mechanism of SK channel inhibition remains unclear. OBJECTIVES We speculated that together with a direct inhibition of repolarizing SK current, the previously observed depolarization of the atrial resting membrane potential (RMP) after SK channel inhibition reduces sodium channel availability, thereby prolonging the effective refractory period and slowing the conduction velocity (CV). We therefore aimed at elucidating these properties of SK channel inhibition and the underlying antiarrhythmic mechanisms using microelectrode action potential (AP) recordings and CV measurements in isolated rat atrium. Automated patch clamping and two-electrode voltage clamp were used to access INa and IK,ACh, respectively. RESULTS The SK channel inhibitor N-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(pyridin-2-yl)thiazol-2-amine (ICA) exhibited antiarrhythmic effects. ICA prevented electrically induced runs of atrial fibrillation in the isolated right atrium and induced atrial postrepolarization refractoriness and depolarized RMP. Moreover, ICA (1-10 μM) was found to slow CV; however, because of a marked prolongation of effective refractory period, the calculated wavelength was increased. Furthermore, at increased pacing frequencies, SK channel inhibition by ICA (10-30 μM) demonstrated prominent depression of other sodium channel-dependent parameters. ICA did not inhibit IK,ACh, but at concentrations above 10 μM, ICA use dependently inhibited INa. CONCLUSIONS SK channel inhibition modulates multiple parameters of AP. It prolongs the AP duration and shifts the RMP towards more depolarized potentials through direct ISK block. This indirectly leads to sodium channel inhibition through accumulation of state dependently inactivated channels, which ultimately slows conduction and decreases excitability. However, a contribution from a direct sodium channel inhibition cannot be ruled. We here propose that the primary antiarrhythmic mechanism of SK channel inhibition is through direct potassium channel block and through indirect sodium channel inhibition.
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25
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Heijman J, Algalarrondo V, Voigt N, Melka J, Wehrens XHT, Dobrev D, Nattel S. The value of basic research insights into atrial fibrillation mechanisms as a guide to therapeutic innovation: a critical analysis. Cardiovasc Res 2015; 109:467-79. [PMID: 26705366 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvv275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/11/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an extremely common clinical problem associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current antiarrhythmic options include pharmacological, ablation, and surgical therapies, and have significantly improved clinical outcomes. However, their efficacy remains suboptimal, and their use is limited by a variety of potentially serious adverse effects. There is a clear need for improved therapeutic options. Several decades of research have substantially expanded our understanding of the basic mechanisms of AF. Ectopic firing and re-entrant activity have been identified as the predominant mechanisms for arrhythmia initiation and maintenance. However, it has become clear that the clinical factors predisposing to AF and the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved are extremely complex. Moreover, all AF-promoting and maintaining mechanisms are dynamically regulated and subject to remodelling caused by both AF and cardiovascular disease. Accordingly, the initial presentation and clinical progression of AF patients are enormously heterogeneous. An understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms is widely assumed to be the basis of therapeutic innovation, but while this assumption seems self-evident, we are not aware of any papers that have critically examined the practical contributions of basic research into AF mechanisms to arrhythmia management. Here, we review recent insights into the basic mechanisms of AF, critically analyse the role of basic research insights in the development of presently used anti-AF therapeutic options and assess the potential value of contemporary experimental discoveries for future therapeutic innovation. Finally, we highlight some of the important challenges to the translation of basic science findings to clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordi Heijman
- Department of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Faculty of Health, Medicine, and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent Algalarrondo
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, 5000 Belanger St. E., Montreal, Canada H1T 1C8 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Niels Voigt
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Jonathan Melka
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, 5000 Belanger St. E., Montreal, Canada H1T 1C8 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Xander H T Wehrens
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA Department of Medicine (Cardiology), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Stanley Nattel
- Department of Medicine, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, 5000 Belanger St. E., Montreal, Canada H1T 1C8 Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, D-45122 Essen, Germany
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26
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Aguilar M, Xiong F, Qi XY, Comtois P, Nattel S. Potassium Channel Blockade Enhances Atrial Fibrillation–Selective Antiarrhythmic Effects of Optimized State-Dependent Sodium Channel Blockade. Circulation 2015; 132:2203-11. [PMID: 26499964 DOI: 10.1161/circulationaha.115.018016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 09/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Background—
The development of effective and safe antiarrhythmic drugs for atrial fibrillation (AF) rhythm control is an unmet clinical need. Multichannel blockers are believed to have advantages over single-channel blockers for AF, but their development has been completely empirical to date. We tested the hypothesis that adding K
+
-channel blockade improves the atrium-selective electrophysiological profile and anti-AF effects of optimized Na
+
-channel blockers.
Methods and Results—
Realistic cardiomyocyte-, tissue-, and state-dependent Na
+
-channel block mathematical models, optical mapping, and action potential recording were used to study the effect of Na
+
-current (
I
Na
) blockade with or without concomitant inhibition of the rapid or ultrarapid delayed-rectifier K
+
currents (
I
Kr
and
I
Kur
, respectively). In the mathematical model, maximal AF selectivity was obtained with an inactivated-state Na
+
-channel blocker. Combining optimized Na
+
-channel blocker with
I
Kr
block increased rate-dependent and atrium-selective peak
I
Na
reduction, increased AF selectivity, and more effectively terminated AF compared with optimized Na
+
-channel blocker alone. Combining optimized Na
+
-channel blocker with
I
Kur
block had similar effects but without
I
Kr
block–induced ventricular action potential prolongation. Consistent with the mathematical model, in coronary-perfused canine hearts, the addition of dofetilide (selective
I
Kr
blocker) to pilsicainide (selective
I
Na
blocker) produced enhanced atrium-selective effects on maximal phase 0 upstroke and conduction velocity. Furthermore, pilsicainide plus dofetilide had higher AF termination efficacy than pilsicainide alone. Pilsicainide alone had no statistically significant effect on AF inducibility, whereas pilsicainide plus dofetilide rendered AF noninducible.
Conclusions—
K
+
-channel block potentiates the AF-selective anti-AF effects obtainable with optimized Na
+
-channel blockade. Combining optimized Na
+
-channel block with blockade of atrial K
+
currents is a potentially valuable AF-selective antiarrhythmic drug strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Aguilar
- From the Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada (M.A., F.X., X.Y.Q., P.C., S.N.); Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology/Institute of Biomedical Engineering (M.A., P.C.) and Department of Medicine (S.N.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; and Departments of Medicine (M.A., S.N.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (F.X., S.N.), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; and West-German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (S.N.)
| | - Feng Xiong
- From the Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada (M.A., F.X., X.Y.Q., P.C., S.N.); Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology/Institute of Biomedical Engineering (M.A., P.C.) and Department of Medicine (S.N.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; and Departments of Medicine (M.A., S.N.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (F.X., S.N.), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; and West-German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (S.N.)
| | - Xiao Yan Qi
- From the Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada (M.A., F.X., X.Y.Q., P.C., S.N.); Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology/Institute of Biomedical Engineering (M.A., P.C.) and Department of Medicine (S.N.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; and Departments of Medicine (M.A., S.N.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (F.X., S.N.), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; and West-German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (S.N.)
| | - Philippe Comtois
- From the Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada (M.A., F.X., X.Y.Q., P.C., S.N.); Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology/Institute of Biomedical Engineering (M.A., P.C.) and Department of Medicine (S.N.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; and Departments of Medicine (M.A., S.N.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (F.X., S.N.), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; and West-German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (S.N.)
| | - Stanley Nattel
- From the Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute and Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada (M.A., F.X., X.Y.Q., P.C., S.N.); Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology/Institute of Biomedical Engineering (M.A., P.C.) and Department of Medicine (S.N.), Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada; and Departments of Medicine (M.A., S.N.) and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (F.X., S.N.), McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada; and West-German Heart and Vascular Center, Faculty of Medicine, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany (S.N.).
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27
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van Hunnik A, Lau DH, Zeemering S, Kuiper M, Verheule S, Schotten U. Antiarrhythmic effect of vernakalant in electrically remodeled goat atria is caused by slowing of conduction and prolongation of postrepolarization refractoriness. Heart Rhythm 2015; 13:964-72. [PMID: 26681610 DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2015.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vernakalant inhibits several potassium currents and causes a rate- and voltage-dependent inhibition of the sodium current. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the antiarrhythmic mechanism of vernakalant in normal and electrically remodeled atria. METHODS Fourteen goats were instrumented with electrodes on both atria. Drug effects on refractory period (ERP), conduction velocity (CV), and atrial fibrillation cycle length (AFCL) were determined in normal goats (control) and after 2 (2dAF) or 11 (11dAF) days of pacing-induced atrial fibrillation (AF) in awake goats. To evaluate the contribution of changes in conduction and ERP, the same experiments were performed with flecainide and AVE0118. In a subset of goats, monophasic action potentials were recorded during anesthesia. RESULTS Vernakalant dose-dependently prolonged ERP and decreased CV in CTL experiments. Both effects were maintained after 2dAF and 11dAF. After 11dAF, conduction slowed down by 8.2 ± 1.5 cm/s and AFCL increased by 55 ± 3 ms, leading to AF termination in 5 out of 9 goats. Monophasic action potential measurements revealed that ERP prolongation was due to enhanced postrepolarization refractoriness. During pacing, vernakalant had comparable effects on CV as flecainide, while effect on ERP was comparable to AVE0118. During AF, all compounds had comparable effects on median AFCL and ERP despite differences in their effects on CV during pacing. CONCLUSION The antiarrhythmic effect of vernakalant in the goat, at clinically relevant plasma concentrations, is based on both conduction slowing and ERP prolongation due to postrepolarization refractoriness. These electrophysiological effects were not affected by long-term electrical remodeling of the atria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne van Hunnik
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Dennis H Lau
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Stef Zeemering
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Marion Kuiper
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sander Verheule
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ulrich Schotten
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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28
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Gonzales MJ, Vincent KP, Rappel WJ, Narayan SM, McCulloch AD. Structural contributions to fibrillatory rotors in a patient-derived computational model of the atria. Europace 2015; 16 Suppl 4:iv3-iv10. [PMID: 25362167 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euu251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to investigate structural contributions to the maintenance of rotors in human atrial fibrillation (AF) and possible mechanisms of termination. METHODS AND RESULTS A three-dimensional human biatrial finite element model based on patient-derived computed tomography and arrhythmia observed at electrophysiology study was used to study AF. With normal physiological electrical conductivity and effective refractory periods (ERPs), wave break failed to sustain reentrant activity or electrical rotors. With depressed excitability, decreased conduction anisotropy, and shorter ERP characteristic of AF, reentrant rotors were readily maintained. Rotors were transiently or permanently trapped by fibre discontinuities on the lateral wall of the right atrium near the tricuspid valve orifice and adjacent to the crista terminalis, both known sites of right atrial arrhythmias. Modelling inexcitable regions near the rotor tip to simulate fibrosis anchored the rotors, converting the arrhythmia to macro-reentry. Accordingly, increasing the spatial core of inexcitable tissue decreased the frequency of rotation, widened the excitable gap, and enabled an external wave to impinge on the rotor core and displace the source. CONCLUSION These model findings highlight the importance of structural features in rotor dynamics and suggest that regions of fibrosis may anchor fibrillatory rotors. Increasing extent of fibrosis and scar may eventually convert fibrillation to excitable gap reentry. Such macro-reentry can then be eliminated by extending the obstacle or by external stimuli that penetrate the excitable gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Gonzales
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, Mail Code 0412, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA
| | - Kevin P Vincent
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, Mail Code 0412, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA
| | - Wouter-Jan Rappel
- Department of Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sanjiv M Narayan
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Cardiac Biomedical Science and Engineering Center, University of California San Diego, CA, USA VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Andrew D McCulloch
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Diego, Mail Code 0412, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412, USA Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA Cardiac Biomedical Science and Engineering Center, University of California San Diego, CA, USA
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29
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Abstract
Optimal cardiac function depends on proper timing of excitation and contraction in various regions of the heart, as well as on appropriate heart rate. This is accomplished via specialized electrical properties of various components of the system, including the sinoatrial node, atria, atrioventricular node, His-Purkinje system, and ventricles. Here we review the major regionally determined electrical properties of these cardiac regions and present the available data regarding the molecular and ionic bases of regional cardiac function and dysfunction. Understanding these differences is of fundamental importance for the investigation of arrhythmia mechanisms and pharmacotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Bartos
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Eleonora Grandi
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - Crystal M Ripplinger
- Department of Pharmacology, University of California Davis, Davis, California, USA
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30
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Matene E, Vinet A, Jacquemet V. Dynamics of atrial arrhythmias modulated by time-dependent acetylcholine concentration: a simulation study. Europace 2015; 16 Suppl 4:iv11-iv20. [PMID: 25362160 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euu255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The autonomic nervous system modulates atrial activity, notably through acetylcholine (ACh) release. This time-dependent action may alter the dynamics of atrial arrhythmia. Our aim is to investigate in a computer model the changes induced by ACh release and degradation on the dynamical regime of a reentry. METHODS AND RESULTS A functional reentry was simulated in a 10 × 5 cm(2) two-dimensional tissue with canine atrial membrane kinetics including an ACh-dependent K(+) current. The local ACh concentration was altered over time in a circular region following a predefined spatiotemporal profile (ACh release and degradation) characterized by its maximum ACh level, time constant of release/degradation, and diameter of the region. Phase singularities were tracked to monitor the complexity of the dynamics. Four scenarios were identified: (i) the original reentry remained stable; (ii) repolarization gradients induced by ACh release caused wavebreaks, resulting in a transient complex dynamics that spontaneously converted to a single stable reentry; (iii) the reentry self-terminated through wavebreaks and wavefront interactions; (4) wavebreaks led to a complex dynamics that converted to two or three reentries that remained stable after ACh degradation. Higher ACh level, short ACh release time constant, larger heterogeneous region, and short distance between the heterogeneous region and the spiral tip were associated with higher occurrence of ACh-induced wavebreaks. CONCLUSION Variation of ACh concentration over time may modulate the complexity of atrial arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elhacene Matene
- Centre de Recherche, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400, boul. Gouin Ouest, Montreal, QC, Canada H4J 1C5 Département de Physiologie Moléculaire et Intégrative, Institut de Génie Biomédical, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada H3T 1J4
| | - Alain Vinet
- Centre de Recherche, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400, boul. Gouin Ouest, Montreal, QC, Canada H4J 1C5 Département de Physiologie Moléculaire et Intégrative, Institut de Génie Biomédical, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada H3T 1J4
| | - Vincent Jacquemet
- Centre de Recherche, Hôpital du Sacré-Coeur de Montréal, 5400, boul. Gouin Ouest, Montreal, QC, Canada H4J 1C5 Département de Physiologie Moléculaire et Intégrative, Institut de Génie Biomédical, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada H3T 1J4
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31
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Chang GJ, Yeh YH, Lin TP, Chang CJ, Chen WJ. Electromechanical and atrial and ventricular antiarrhythmic actions of CIJ-3-2F, a novel benzyl-furoquinoline vasodilator in rat heart. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 171:3918-37. [PMID: 24820856 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study was designed to examine the antiarrhythmic efficacy and the underlying mechanisms of the benzyl-furoquinoline vasodilator, CIJ-3-2F, in rat cardiac preparations. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Conduction electrograms and left ventricular pressure were determined in Langendorff-perfused hearts. Action potentials were assessed with microelectrode techniques, calcium transients by fura-2 fluorescence and ionic currents by whole-cell patch-clamp techniques. KEY RESULTS In isolated hearts, CIJ-3-2F prolonged sinus cycle length, QT interval, Wenckebach cycle length, atrio-His bundle and His bundle-ventricular conduction intervals, refractory periods in atrium, AV node, His-Purkinje system and ventricle, and also increased left ventricular pressure. CIJ-3-2F reduced the incidences of both ischaemic and reperfusion-induced ventricular arrhythmias and prevented the induction of atrial tachyarrhythmias. In both atrial and papillary muscles, CIJ-3-2F decreased upstroke velocity and prolonged duration of the action potential. In ventricular myocytes, CIJ-3-2F moderately increased the amplitude of [Ca(2+)]i transients and cell shortening. CIJ-3-2F inhibited the transient outward K(+) current (Ito ) (IC₅₀ = 4.4 μM) with accelerated inactivation, a slower rate of recovery from inactivation and use-dependency. CIJ-3-2F also suppressed the steady-state outward K(+) current (Iss , IC₅₀ = 3.6 μM, maximum inhibition = 65.7%) and both the inward Na(+) current (INa , IC₅₀ = 2.8 μM) and L-type Ca(2+) current (ICa,L , IC₅₀ = 4.9 μM, maximum inhibition = 69.4%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS CIJ-3-2F blocked Na(+) and Ito channels and, to some extent, also blocked Ca(2+) and Iss channels, modifying cardiac electromechanical function. These effects are likely to underlie its antiarrhythmic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwo-Jyh Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicinal Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
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32
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Ionic mechanisms of arrhythmogenesis. Trends Cardiovasc Med 2015; 25:487-96. [PMID: 25701094 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcm.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Revised: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The understanding of ionic mechanisms underlying cardiac rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias) is an issue of significance in the medical science community. Several advances in molecular, cellular, and optical techniques in the past few decades have substantially increased our knowledge of ionic mechanisms that are thought to underlie arrhythmias. The application of these techniques in the study of ion channel biophysics and regulatory properties has provided a wealth of information, with some important therapeutic implications for dealing with the disease. In this review, we briefly consider the cellular and tissue manifestations of a number of cardiac rhythm disturbances, while focusing on our current understanding of the ionic current mechanisms that have been implicated in such rhythm disturbances.
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33
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Yuan Y, Bai X, Luo C, Wang K, Zhang H. The virtual heart as a platform for screening drug cardiotoxicity. Br J Pharmacol 2015; 172:5531-47. [PMID: 25363597 PMCID: PMC4667856 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2014] [Revised: 10/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
To predict the safety of a drug at an early stage in its development is a major challenge as there is a lack of in vitro heart models that correlate data from preclinical toxicity screening assays with clinical results. A biophysically detailed computer model of the heart, the virtual heart, provides a powerful tool for simulating drug–ion channel interactions and cardiac functions during normal and disease conditions and, therefore, provides a powerful platform for drug cardiotoxicity screening. In this article, we first review recent progress in the development of theory on drug–ion channel interactions and mathematical modelling. Then we propose a family of biomarkers that can quantitatively characterize the actions of a drug on the electrical activity of the heart at multi‐physical scales including cellular and tissue levels. We also conducted some simulations to demonstrate the application of the virtual heart to assess the pro‐arrhythmic effects of cisapride and amiodarone. Using the model we investigated the mechanisms responsible for the differences between the two drugs on pro‐arrhythmogenesis, even though both prolong the QT interval of ECGs. Several challenges for further development of a virtual heart as a platform for screening drug cardiotoxicity are discussed. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Chinese Innovation in Cardiovascular Drug Discovery. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2015.172.issue-23
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Yuan
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Xiangyun Bai
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Cunjin Luo
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Kuanquan Wang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China
| | - Henggui Zhang
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.,Biological Physics Group, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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34
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Abstract
Although cardiac sodium channel blocking drugs can exert antiarrhythmic actions, they can also provoke life-threatening arrhythmias through a variety of mechanisms. This review addresses the way in which drugs interact with the channel, and how these effects translate to clinical beneficial or detrimental effects. A further understanding of the details of channel function and of drug-channel interactions may lead to the development of safer and more effective antiarrhythmic therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan M Roden
- Departments of Medicine and Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232
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Haugaard MM, Pehrson S, Carstensen H, Flethøj M, Hesselkilde EZ, Praestegaard KF, Diness JG, Grunnet M, Jespersen T, Buhl R. Antiarrhythmic and electrophysiologic effects of flecainide on acutely induced atrial fibrillation in healthy horses. J Vet Intern Med 2014; 29:339-47. [PMID: 25328012 PMCID: PMC4858114 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.12496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 10/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Only few pharmacologic compounds have been validated for treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) in horses. Studies investigating the utility and safety of flecainide to treat AF in horses have produced conflicting results, and the antiarrhythmic mechanisms of flecainide are not fully understood. OBJECTIVES To study the potential of flecainide to terminate acutely induced AF of short duration (≥ 15 minutes), to examine flecainide-induced changes in AF duration and AF vulnerability, and to investigate the in vivo effects of flecainide on right atrial effective refractory period, AF cycle length, and ventricular depolarization and repolarization. ANIMALS Nine Standardbred horses. Eight received flecainide, 3 were used as time-matched controls, 2 of which also received flecainide. METHODS Prospective study. The antiarrhythmic and electrophysiologic effects of flecainide were based on 5 parameters: ability to terminate acute pacing-induced AF (≥ 15 minutes), and drug-induced changes in atrial effective refractory period, AF duration, AF vulnerability, and ventricular depolarization and repolarization times. Parameters were assessed at baseline and after flecainide by programmed electrical stimulation methods. RESULTS Flecainide terminated all acutely induced AF episodes (n = 7); (AF duration, 21 ± 5 minutes) and significantly decreased the AF duration, but neither altered atrial effective refractory period nor AF vulnerability significantly. Ventricular repolarization time was prolonged between 8 and 20 minutes after initiation of flecainide infusion, but no ventricular arrhythmias were detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Flecainide had clear antiarrhythmic properties in terminating acute pacing-induced AF, but showed no protective properties against immediate reinduction of AF. Flecainide caused temporary prolongation in the ventricular repolarization, which may be a proarrhythmic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Haugaard
- Department of Large Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Taastrup, Denmark
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36
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Mahida S. Genetic Discoveries in Atrial Fibrillation and Implications for Clinical Practice. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2014; 3:69-75. [PMID: 26835069 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2014.3.2.69] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Accepted: 07/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an arrhythmia with a genetic basis. Over the past decade, rapid advances in genotyping technology have revolutionised research regarding the genetic basis of AF. While AF genetics research was previously largely restricted to familial forms of AF, recent studies have begun to characterise the genetic architecture underlying the form of AF encountered in everyday clinical practice. These discoveries could have a significant impact on the management of AF. However, much work remains before genetic findings can be translated to clinical practice. This review summarises results of studies in AF genetics to date and discusses the potential implications of these findings in clinical practice.
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Waks JW, Josephson ME. Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation - Reentry, Rotors and Reality. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2014; 3:90-100. [PMID: 26835073 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2014.3.2.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice, yet our understanding of the mechanisms that initiate and sustain this arrhythmia remains quite poor. Over the last 50 years, various mechanisms of AF have been proposed, yet none has been consistently observed in both experimental studies and in humans. Recently, there has been increasing interest in understanding how spiral waves or rotors - which are specific, organised forms of functional reentry - sustain human AF and how they might be therapeutic targets for catheter-based ablation. The following review describes the historical understanding of reentry and AF mechanisms from earlier in the 20th century, advances in our understanding of mechanisms that are able to sustain AF with a focus on rotors and complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAEs), and how the study of AF mechanisms has resulted in new strategies for treating AF with novel forms of catheter ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan W Waks
- Clinical Fellow in Cardiac Electrophysiology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard-Thorndike Electrophysiology Institute and Arrhythmia Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, US
| | - Mark E Josephson
- Herman C. Dana Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Chief of the Cardiovascular Division, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Director, Harvard-Thorndike Electrophysiology Institute and Arrhythmia Service, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, US
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38
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Trayanova NA. Mathematical approaches to understanding and imaging atrial fibrillation: significance for mechanisms and management. Circ Res 2014; 114:1516-31. [PMID: 24763468 DOI: 10.1161/circresaha.114.302240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in humans. The mechanisms that govern AF initiation and persistence are highly complex, of dynamic nature, and involve interactions across multiple temporal and spatial scales in the atria. This article aims to review the mathematical modeling and computer simulation approaches to understanding AF mechanisms and aiding in its management. Various atrial modeling approaches are presented, with descriptions of the methodological basis and advancements in both lower-dimensional and realistic geometry models. A review of the most significant mechanistic insights made by atrial simulations is provided. The article showcases the contributions that atrial modeling and simulation have made not only to our understanding of the pathophysiology of atrial arrhythmias, but also to the development of AF management approaches. A summary of the future developments envisioned for the field of atrial simulation and modeling is also presented. The review contends that computational models of the atria assembled with data from clinical imaging modalities that incorporate electrophysiological and structural remodeling could become a first line of screening for new AF therapies and approaches, new diagnostic developments, and new methods for arrhythmia prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia A Trayanova
- From the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Computational Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
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39
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Schmitt N, Grunnet M, Olesen SP. Cardiac potassium channel subtypes: new roles in repolarization and arrhythmia. Physiol Rev 2014; 94:609-53. [PMID: 24692356 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00022.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
About 10 distinct potassium channels in the heart are involved in shaping the action potential. Some of the K+ channels are primarily responsible for early repolarization, whereas others drive late repolarization and still others are open throughout the cardiac cycle. Three main K+ channels drive the late repolarization of the ventricle with some redundancy, and in atria this repolarization reserve is supplemented by the fairly atrial-specific KV1.5, Kir3, KCa, and K2P channels. The role of the latter two subtypes in atria is currently being clarified, and several findings indicate that they could constitute targets for new pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation. The interplay between the different K+ channel subtypes in both atria and ventricle is dynamic, and a significant up- and downregulation occurs in disease states such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure. The underlying posttranscriptional and posttranslational remodeling of the individual K+ channels changes their activity and significance relative to each other, and they must be viewed together to understand their role in keeping a stable heart rhythm, also under menacing conditions like attacks of reentry arrhythmia.
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40
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Julián M, Alcaraz R, Rieta JJ. Comparative assessment of nonlinear metrics to quantify organization-related events in surface electrocardiograms of atrial fibrillation. Comput Biol Med 2014; 48:66-76. [PMID: 24642478 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2014.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is today the most common sustained arrhythmia, its treatment being not completely satisfactory. Electrical activity organization analysis within the atria could play a key role in the improvement of current AF therapies. The application of a nonlinear regularity index, such as sample entropy (SampEn), to the atrial activity (AA) fundamental waveform has proven to be a successful noninvasive AF organization estimator. However, the use of alternative nonlinear metrics within this context is a pending issue. The present work analyzes the ability of several nonlinear indices to assess regularity of patterns and, thus, organization, in the AA signal and its fundamental waveform, defined as the main atrial wave (MAW). Precisely, Fuzzy Entropy, Spectral Entropy, Lempel-Ziv Complexity and Hurst Exponents were studied, achieving more robust and accurate AF organization estimates than SampEn. Results also provided better AF organization estimates from the MAW than from the AA signal for all the tested nonlinear metrics, which agrees with previous works only focused on SampEn. Furthermore, some of these indices reported a discriminant ability close to 95% in the classification of AF organization-dependent events, thus outperforming the diagnostic accuracy of SampEn and other widely used noninvasive estimators, such as the dominant atrial frequency (DAF). As a conclusion, these nonlinear metrics could be considered as promising estimators of noninvasive AF organization and could be helpful in making appropriate decisions on the patients' management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Julián
- Biomedical Synergy, Electronic Engineering Department, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Edificio 7F, 5(a). Camino de Vera s/n. 46022, Valencia, Spain.
| | - R Alcaraz
- Innovation in Bioengineering Research Group, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Cuenca, Spain
| | - J J Rieta
- Biomedical Synergy, Electronic Engineering Department, Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, Edificio 7F, 5(a). Camino de Vera s/n. 46022, Valencia, Spain
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41
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Scholz EP, Carrillo-Bustamante P, Fischer F, Wilhelms M, Zitron E, Dössel O, Katus HA, Seemann G. Rotor termination is critically dependent on kinetic properties of I kur inhibitors in an in silico model of chronic atrial fibrillation. PLoS One 2013; 8:e83179. [PMID: 24376659 PMCID: PMC3869770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0083179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibition of the atrial ultra-rapid delayed rectifier potassium current (IKur) represents a promising therapeutic strategy in the therapy of atrial fibrillation. However, experimental and clinical data on the antiarrhythmic efficacy remain controversial. We tested the hypothesis that antiarrhythmic effects of IKur inhibitors are dependent on kinetic properties of channel blockade. A mathematical description of IKur blockade was introduced into Courtemanche-Ramirez-Nattel models of normal and remodeled atrial electrophysiology. Effects of five model compounds with different kinetic properties were analyzed. Although a reduction of dominant frequencies could be observed in two dimensional tissue simulations for all compounds, a reduction of spiral wave activity could be only be detected in two cases. We found that an increase of the percent area of refractory tissue due to a prolongation of the wavelength seems to be particularly important. By automatic tracking of spiral tip movement we find that increased refractoriness resulted in rotor extinction caused by an increased spiral-tip meandering. We show that antiarrhythmic effects of IKur inhibitors are dependent on kinetic properties of blockade. We find that an increase of the percent area of refractory tissue is the underlying mechanism for an increased spiral-tip meandering, resulting in the extinction of re-entrant circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eberhard P. Scholz
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Fathima Fischer
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mathias Wilhelms
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Edgar Zitron
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Olaf Dössel
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Hugo A. Katus
- Department of Internal Medicine III, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK) partner site Heidelberg/Mannheim, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gunnar Seemann
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Karlsruhe, Germany
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42
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Abstract
The objective of this article is to present a broad review of the role of cardiac electric rotors and their accompanying spiral waves in the mechanism of cardiac fibrillation. At the outset, we present a brief historical overview regarding reentry and then discuss the basic concepts and terminologies pertaining to rotors and their initiation. Thereafter, the intrinsic properties of rotors and spiral waves, including phase singularities, wavefront curvature, and dominant frequency maps, are discussed. The implications of rotor dynamics for the spatiotemporal organization of fibrillation, independent of the species being studied, are described next. The knowledge gained regarding the role of cardiac structure in the initiation or maintenance of rotors and the ionic bases of spiral waves in the past 2 decades, as well as the significance for drug therapy, is reviewed subsequently. We conclude by examining recent evidence suggesting that rotors are critical in sustaining both atrial and ventricular fibrillation in the human heart and its implications for treatment with radiofrequency ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandeep V Pandit
- Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, NCRC, 2800 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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43
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Matene E, Jacquemet V. Fully automated initiation of simulated episodes of atrial arrhythmias. Europace 2013; 14 Suppl 5:v17-v24. [PMID: 23104910 DOI: 10.1093/europace/eus271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS To develop computational tools for automatically initiating a large number of independent episodes of atrial arrhythmias in electro-anatomical computer models of the atria and therefore facilitating the design of in silico experiments. METHODS AND RESULTS A biophysical model of the atria was constructed from segmented medical images of the human atria of a patient with atrial fibrillation (AF). A set of 40 initial conditions were generated based on a priori knowledge about wavefront propagation and the number and location of reentries (1-6 randomly distributed over the atrial epicardium). Simulations were run from each of these initial conditions in three substrates representing different forms of AF dynamics (stable rotors; multiple unstable meandering wavelets; and wavelets broken by repolarization heterogeneities). To demonstrate the applicability of the initiation method for testing clinical of therapeutic interventions, the channel I(Kr) was blocked after 2 s of simulation and its effect on the number of functional reentries was documented. The use of pre-computed initial conditions enabled to successfully generate episodes of simulated AF in each substrate. Blockade of I(Kr) channel prolonged action potential duration, resulting in a reduction of the number of functional reentries. In the substrate with unstable spiral waves, the effect was sufficiently large to terminate AF in about two-thirds of the cases. In the two other substrates, the effect was minor. CONCLUSION These new simulation tools may help investigate in computer models therapeutic interventions in different substrates in order to identify substrate-specific optimal therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Matene
- Département de Physiologie, Université de Montréal, Institut de Génie Biomédical, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montréal, QC, Canada
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44
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Cardiac ion channels and mechanisms for protection against atrial fibrillation. Rev Physiol Biochem Pharmacol 2013; 162:1-58. [PMID: 21987061 DOI: 10.1007/112_2011_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is recognised as the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice. Ongoing drug development is aiming at obtaining atrial specific effects in order to prevent pro-arrhythmic, devastating ventricular effects. In principle, this is possible due to a different ion channel composition in the atria and ventricles. The present text will review the aetiology of arrhythmias with focus on AF and include a description of cardiac ion channels. Channels that constitute potentially atria-selective targets will be described in details. Specific focus is addressed to the recent discovery that Ca(2+)-activated small conductance K(+) channels (SK channels) are important for the repolarisation of atrial action potentials. Finally, an overview of current pharmacological treatment of AF is included.
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45
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Abstract
Understanding the developmental basis of cardiac electrical activity has proven technically challenging, largely as a result of the inaccessible nature of the heart during cardiogenesis in many organisms. The emergence of the zebrafish as a model organism has availed the very earliest stages of heart formation to experimental exploration. The zebrafish also offers a robust platform for genetic and chemical screening. These tools have been exploited in screens for modifiers of cardiac electrophysiologic phenotypes and in screens for novel drugs.
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46
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Jacquemet V, Kappenberger L, Henriquez CS. Modeling atrial arrhythmias: impact on clinical diagnosis and therapies. IEEE Rev Biomed Eng 2012; 1:94-114. [PMID: 22274901 DOI: 10.1109/rbme.2008.2008242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Atrial arrhythmias are the most frequent sustained rhythm disorders in humans and often lead to severe complications such as heart failure and stroke. Despite the important insights provided by animal models into the mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias, direct translation of experimental findings to new therapies in patients has not been straightforward. With the advances in computer technology, large-scale electroanatomical computer models of the atria that integrate information from the molecular to organ scale have reached a level of sophistication that they can be used to interpret the outcome of experimental and clinical studies and aid in the rational design of therapies. This paper reviews the state-of-the-art of computer models of the electrical dynamics of the atria and discusses the evolving role of simulation in assisting the clinical diagnosis and treatment of atrial arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Jacquemet
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
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47
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Filgueiras-Rama D, Martins RP, Mironov S, Yamazaki M, Calvo CJ, Ennis SR, Bandaru K, Noujaim SF, Kalifa J, Berenfeld O, Jalife J. Chloroquine terminates stretch-induced atrial fibrillation more effectively than flecainide in the sheep heart. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2012; 5:561-70. [PMID: 22467674 DOI: 10.1161/circep.111.966820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blockade of inward-rectifier K+ channels by chloroquine terminates reentry in cholinergic atrial fibrillation (AF). However, it is unknown whether inward-rectifier K+ channels and reentry are also important in maintaining stretch-induced AF (SAF). We surmised that reentry underlies SAF, and that abolishing reentry with chloroquine terminates SAF more effectively than traditional Na+-channel blockade by flecainide. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty Langendorff-perfused sheep hearts were exposed to acute and continuous atrial stretch, and mapped optically and electrically. AF dynamics were studied under control and during perfusion of either chloroquine (4 µmol/L, n=7) or flecainide (2-4 µmol/L, n=5). Chloroquine increased rotor core size and decreased reentry frequency from 10.6±0.7 Hz in control to 6.3±0.7 Hz (P<0.005) just before restoring sinus rhythm (7/7). Flecainide had lesser effects on core size and reentry frequency than chloroquine and did not restore sinus rhythm (0/5). Specific IKr blockade by E-4031 (n=7) did not terminate AF when frequency values were >8 Hz. During pacing (n=11), flecainide reversibly reduced conduction velocity (≈30% at cycle length 300, 250, and 200 ms; P<0.05) to a larger extent than chloroquine (11% to 19%; cycle length, 300, 250, and 200 ms; P<0.05). Significant action potential duration prolongation was demonstrable only for chloroquine at cycle length 300 (12%) and cycle length 250 ms (9%) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Chloroquine is more effective than flecainide in terminating SAF in isolated sheep hearts by significantly increasing core size and decreasing reentry frequency. Chloroquine's effectiveness may be explained by its inward-rectifier K+ channel blockade profile and suggest that reentry is important to maintain acute SAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Filgueiras-Rama
- Center for Arrhythmia Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
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48
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Aguilar-Shardonofsky M, Vigmond E, Nattel S, Comtois P. In silico optimization of atrial fibrillation-selective sodium channel blocker pharmacodynamics. Biophys J 2012; 102:951-60. [PMID: 22404917 PMCID: PMC3296055 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2012.01.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2011] [Revised: 01/05/2012] [Accepted: 01/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of clinical arrhythmia. Currently available anti-AF drugs are limited by only moderate efficacy and an unfavorable safety profile. Thus, there is a recognized need for improved antiarrhythmic agents with actions that are selective for the fibrillating atrium. State-dependent Na(+)-channel blockade potentially allows for the development of drugs with maximal actions on fibrillating atrial tissue and minimal actions on ventricular tissue at resting heart rates. In this study, we applied a mathematical model of state-dependent Na(+)-channel blocking (class I antiarrhythmic drug) action, along with mathematical models of canine atrial and ventricular cardiomyocyte action potentials, AF, and ventricular proarrhythmia, to determine the relationship between their pharmacodynamic properties and atrial-selectivity, AF-selectivity (atrial Na(+)-channel block at AF rates versus ventricular block at resting rates), AF-termination effectiveness, and ventricular proarrhythmic properties. We found that drugs that target inactivated channels are AF-selective, whereas drugs that target activated channels are not. The most AF-selective drugs were associated with minimal ventricular proarrhythmic potential and terminated AF in 33% of simulations; slightly fewer AF-selective agents achieved termination rates of 100% with low ventricular proarrhythmic potential. Our results define properties associated with AF-selective actions of class-I antiarrhythmic drugs and support the idea that it may be possible to develop class I antiarrhythmic agents with optimized pharmacodynamic properties for AF treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Aguilar-Shardonofsky
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Montreal Heart Institute Research Centre, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Stanley Nattel
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Philippe Comtois
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Montreal, Montreal, Canada
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Sánchez C, Corrias A, Bueno-Orovio A, Davies M, Swinton J, Jacobson I, Laguna P, Pueyo E, Rodríguez B. The Na+/K+ pump is an important modulator of refractoriness and rotor dynamics in human atrial tissue. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2012; 302:H1146-59. [PMID: 22198174 PMCID: PMC3311461 DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00668.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Pharmacological treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibits limited efficacy. Further developments require a comprehensive characterization of ionic modulators of electrophysiology in human atria. Our aim is to systematically investigate the relative importance of ionic properties in modulating excitability, refractoriness, and rotor dynamics in human atria before and after AF-related electrical remodeling (AFER). Computer simulations of single cell and tissue atrial electrophysiology were conducted using two human atrial action potential (AP) models. Changes in AP, refractory period (RP), conduction velocity (CV), and rotor dynamics caused by alterations in key properties of all atrial ionic currents were characterized before and after AFER. Results show that the investigated human atrial electrophysiological properties are primarily modulated by maximal value of Na(+)/K(+) pump current (G(NaK)) as well as conductances of inward rectifier potassium current (G(K1)) and fast inward sodium current (G(Na)). G(NaK) plays a fundamental role through both electrogenic and homeostatic modulation of AP duration (APD), APD restitution, RP, and reentrant dominant frequency (DF). G(K1) controls DF through modulation of AP, APD restitution, RP, and CV. G(Na) is key in determining DF through alteration of CV and RP, particularly in AFER. Changes in ionic currents have qualitatively similar effects in control and AFER, but effects are smaller in AFER. The systematic analysis conducted in this study unravels the important role of the Na(+)/K(+) pump current in determining human atrial electrophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Sánchez
- Communications Technology Group, I3A and IIS, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza
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50
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Uldry L, Jacquemet V, Virag N, Kappenberger L, Vesin JM. Estimating the time scale and anatomical location of atrial fibrillation spontaneous termination in a biophysical model. Med Biol Eng Comput 2012; 50:155-63. [PMID: 22270941 DOI: 10.1007/s11517-011-0859-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2011] [Accepted: 11/23/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Due to their transient nature, spontaneous terminations of atrial fibrillation (AF) are difficult to investigate. Apparently, confounding experimental findings about the time scale of this phenomenon have been reported, with values ranging from 1 s to 1 min. We propose a biophysical modeling approach to study the mechanisms of spontaneous termination in two models of AF with different levels of dynamical complexity. 8 s preceding spontaneous terminations were studied and the evolution of cycle length and wavefront propagation were documented to assess the time scale and anatomical location of the phenomenon. Results suggest that termination mechanisms are dependent on the underlying complexity of AF. During simulated AF of low complexity, the total process of spontaneous termination lasted 3,200 ms and was triggered in the left atrium 800 ms earlier than in the right atrium. The last fibrillatory activity was observed more often in the right atrium. These asymmetric termination mechanisms in both time and space were not observed during spontaneous terminations of complex AF simulations, which showed less predictable termination patterns lasting only 1,600 ms. This study contributes to the interpretation of previous clinical observations, and illustrates how computer modeling provides a complementary approach to study the mechanisms of cardiac arrhythmias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Uldry
- Applied Signal Processing Group, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, EPFL-STI-SCI-JMV, Bâtiment ELD, Station 11, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.
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