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Chuang BBS, Yang AC. Optimization of Using Multiple Machine Learning Approaches in Atrial Fibrillation Detection Based on a Large-Scale Data Set of 12-Lead Electrocardiograms: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e47803. [PMID: 38466973 DOI: 10.2196/47803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) represents a hazardous cardiac arrhythmia that significantly elevates the risk of stroke and heart failure. Despite its severity, its diagnosis largely relies on the proficiency of health care professionals. At present, the real-time identification of paroxysmal AF is hindered by the lack of automated techniques. Consequently, a highly effective machine learning algorithm specifically designed for AF detection could offer substantial clinical benefits. We hypothesized that machine learning algorithms have the potential to identify and extract features of AF with a high degree of accuracy, given the intricate and distinctive patterns present in electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings of AF. OBJECTIVE This study aims to develop a clinically valuable machine learning algorithm that can accurately detect AF and compare different leads' performances of AF detection. METHODS We used 12-lead ECG recordings sourced from the 2020 PhysioNet Challenge data sets. The Welch method was used to extract power spectral features of the 12-lead ECGs within a frequency range of 0.083 to 24.92 Hz. Subsequently, various machine learning techniques were evaluated and optimized to classify sinus rhythm (SR) and AF based on these power spectral features. Furthermore, we compared the effects of different frequency subbands and different lead selections on machine learning performances. RESULTS The light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) was found to be the most effective in classifying AF and SR, achieving an average F1-score of 0.988 across all ECG leads. Among the frequency subbands, the 0.083 to 4.92 Hz range yielded the highest F1-score of 0.985. In interlead comparisons, aVR had the highest performance (F1=0.993), with minimal differences observed between leads. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, this study successfully used machine learning methodologies, particularly the LightGBM model, to differentiate SR and AF based on power spectral features derived from 12-lead ECGs. The performance marked by an average F1-score of 0.988 and minimal interlead variation underscores the potential of machine learning algorithms to bolster real-time AF detection. This advancement could significantly improve patient care in intensive care units as well as facilitate remote monitoring through wearable devices, ultimately enhancing clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Albert C Yang
- School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Digital Medicine and Smart Healthcare Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
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2
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Kugler S, Tőkés A, Nagy N, Fintha A, Danics K, Sághi M, Törő K, Rácz G, Nemeskéri Á. Strong desmin immunoreactivity in the myocardial sleeves around pulmonary veins, superior caval vein and coronary sinus supports the presumed arrhythmogenicity of these regions. J Anat 2024; 244:120-132. [PMID: 37626442 PMCID: PMC10734648 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Myocardial sleeve around human pulmonary veins plays a critical role in the pathomechanism of atrial fibrillation. Besides the well-known arrhythmogenicity of these veins, there is evidence that myocardial extensions into caval veins and coronary sinus may exhibit similar features. However, studies investigating histologic properties of these structures are limited. We aimed to investigate the immunoreactivity of myocardial sleeves for intermediate filament desmin, which was reported to be more abundant in Purkinje fibers than in ventricular working cardiomyocytes. Sections of 16 human (15 adult and 1 fetal) hearts were investigated. Specimens of atrial and ventricular myocardium, sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes, pulmonary veins, superior caval vein and coronary sinus were stained with anti-desmin monoclonal antibody. Intensity of desmin immunoreactivity in different areas was quantified by the ImageJ program. Strong desmin labeling was detected at the pacemaker and conduction system as well as in the myocardial sleeves around pulmonary veins, superior caval vein, and coronary sinus of adult hearts irrespective of sex, age, and medical history. In the fetal heart, prominent desmin labeling was observed at the sinoatrial nodal region and in the myocardial extensions around the superior caval vein. Contrarily, atrial and ventricular working myocardium exhibited low desmin immunoreactivity in both adults and fetuses. These differences were confirmed by immunohistochemical quantitative analysis. In conclusion, this study indicates that desmin is abundant in the conduction system and venous myocardial sleeves of human hearts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szilvia Kugler
- Heart and Vascular CentreSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Anna‐Mária Tőkés
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance MedicineSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Nándor Nagy
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and EmbryologySemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Attila Fintha
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer ResearchSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Krisztina Danics
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance MedicineSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Márton Sághi
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer ResearchSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Klára Törő
- Department of Pathology, Forensic and Insurance MedicineSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Gergely Rácz
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer ResearchSemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
| | - Ágnes Nemeskéri
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and EmbryologySemmelweis UniversityBudapestHungary
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3
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Ramos-Mondragón R, Lozhkin A, Vendrov AE, Runge MS, Isom LL, Madamanchi NR. NADPH Oxidases and Oxidative Stress in the Pathogenesis of Atrial Fibrillation. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1833. [PMID: 37891912 PMCID: PMC10604902 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia and its prevalence increases with age. The irregular and rapid contraction of the atria can lead to ineffective blood pumping, local blood stasis, blood clots, ischemic stroke, and heart failure. NADPH oxidases (NOX) and mitochondria are the main sources of reactive oxygen species in the heart, and dysregulated activation of NOX and mitochondrial dysfunction are associated with AF pathogenesis. NOX- and mitochondria-derived oxidative stress contribute to the onset of paroxysmal AF by inducing electrophysiological changes in atrial myocytes and structural remodeling in the atria. Because high atrial activity causes cardiac myocytes to expend extremely high energy to maintain excitation-contraction coupling during persistent AF, mitochondria, the primary energy source, undergo metabolic stress, affecting their morphology, Ca2+ handling, and ATP generation. In this review, we discuss the role of oxidative stress in activating AF-triggered activities, regulating intracellular Ca2+ handling, and functional and anatomical reentry mechanisms, all of which are associated with AF initiation, perpetuation, and progression. Changes in the extracellular matrix, inflammation, ion channel expression and function, myofibril structure, and mitochondrial function occur during the early transitional stages of AF, opening a window of opportunity to target NOX and mitochondria-derived oxidative stress using isoform-specific NOX inhibitors and mitochondrial ROS scavengers, as well as drugs that improve mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism to treat persistent AF and its transition to permanent AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Ramos-Mondragón
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, 2301 Medical Science Research Building III, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (R.R.-M.); (L.L.I.)
| | - Andrey Lozhkin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA; (A.L.); (A.E.V.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Aleksandr E. Vendrov
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA; (A.L.); (A.E.V.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Marschall S. Runge
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA; (A.L.); (A.E.V.); (M.S.R.)
| | - Lori L. Isom
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, 1150 West Medical Center Drive, 2301 Medical Science Research Building III, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; (R.R.-M.); (L.L.I.)
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nageswara R. Madamanchi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Frankel Cardiovascular Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48019, USA; (A.L.); (A.E.V.); (M.S.R.)
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4
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Cofiño-Fabres C, Passier R, Schwach V. Towards Improved Human In Vitro Models for Cardiac Arrhythmia: Disease Mechanisms, Treatment, and Models of Atrial Fibrillation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2355. [PMID: 37760796 PMCID: PMC10525681 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Heart rhythm disorders, arrhythmias, place a huge economic burden on society and have a large impact on the quality of life of a vast number of people. Arrhythmias can have genetic causes but primarily arise from heart tissue remodeling during aging or heart disease. As current therapies do not address the causes of arrhythmias but only manage the symptoms, it is of paramount importance to generate innovative test models and platforms for gaining knowledge about the underlying disease mechanisms which are compatible with drug screening. In this review, we outline the most important features of atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common cardiac arrhythmia. We will discuss the epidemiology, risk factors, underlying causes, and present therapies of AFib, as well as the shortcomings and opportunities of current models for cardiac arrhythmia, including animal models, in silico and in vitro models utilizing human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Cofiño-Fabres
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
| | - Robert Passier
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Centre, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Verena Schwach
- Department of Applied Stem Cell Technologies, TechMed Centre, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, 7500 AE Enschede, The Netherlands;
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5
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Diallo EH, Brouillard P, Raymond JM, Liberman M, Duceppe E, Potter BJ. Predictors and impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation following thoracic surgery: a state-of-the-art review. Anaesthesia 2023; 78:491-500. [PMID: 36632006 DOI: 10.1111/anae.15957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
This review of 19 studies (39,783 patients) of atrial fibrillation after thoracic surgery addresses the pathophysiology, incidence, and consequences of atrial fibrillation in this population, as well as its prevention and management. Interestingly, atrial fibrillation was most often identified in patients not previously known to have the disease. Rhythm control with amiodarone was the most commonly used treatment and nearly all patients were discharged in sinus rhythm. Major predictors were age; male sex; history of atrial fibrillation; congestive heart failure; left atrial enlargement; elevated brain natriuretic peptide level; and the invasiveness of procedures. Overall, patients with atrial fibrillation stayed 3 days longer in hospital. We also discuss the importance of standardising research on this subject and provide recommendations that might mitigate the impact postoperative atrial fibrillation on hospital resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- E-H Diallo
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - P Brouillard
- Department of Medicine, University of Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - J-M Raymond
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montreal University Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - M Liberman
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Montreal University Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - E Duceppe
- Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Montreal University Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - B J Potter
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Montreal University Hospital Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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6
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Rim D, Henderson LA, Macefield VG. Brain and cardiovascular-related changes are associated with aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. Clin Auton Res 2022; 32:409-422. [PMID: 36409380 DOI: 10.1007/s10286-022-00907-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The neural pathways in which the brain regulates the cardiovascular system is via sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the heart and sympathetic control of the systemic vasculature. Various cortical and sub-cortical sites are involved, but how these critical brain regions for cardiovascular control are altered in healthy aging and other risk conditions that may contribute to cardiovascular disease is uncertain. METHODS Here we review the functional and structural brain changes in healthy aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation - noting their potential influence on the autonomic nervous system and hence on cardiovascular control. RESULTS Evidence suggests that aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation are each associated with functional and structural changes in specific areas of the central nervous system involved in autonomic control. Increased muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and significant alterations in the brain regions involved in the default mode network are commonly reported in aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSIONS Further studies using functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coupled with autonomic nerve activity in healthy aging, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation promise to reveal the underlying brain circuitry modulating the abnormal sympathetic nerve activity in these conditions. This understanding will guide future therapies to rectify dysregulation of autonomic and cardiovascular control by the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donggyu Rim
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Luke A Henderson
- School of Medical Sciences (Neuroscience), Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Vaughan G Macefield
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, 75 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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7
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Biendarra‐Tiegs SM, Yechikov S, Shergill B, Brumback B, Takahashi K, Shirure VS, Gonzalez RE, Houshmand L, Zhong D, Weng K, Silva J, Smith TW, Rentschler SL, George SC. An iPS-derived in vitro model of human atrial conduction. Physiol Rep 2022; 10:e15407. [PMID: 36117385 PMCID: PMC9483613 DOI: 10.14814/phy2.15407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in the United States, affecting approximately 1 in 10 adults, and its prevalence is expected to rise as the population ages. Treatment options for AF are limited; moreover, the development of new treatments is hindered by limited (1) knowledge regarding human atrial electrophysiological endpoints (e.g., conduction velocity [CV]) and (2) accurate experimental models. Here, we measured the CV and refractory period, and subsequently calculated the conduction wavelength, in vivo (four subjects with AF and four controls), and ex vivo (atrial slices from human hearts). Then, we created an in vitro model of human atrial conduction using induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This model consisted of iPS-derived human atrial cardiomyocytes plated onto a micropatterned linear 1D spiral design of Matrigel. The CV (34-41 cm/s) of the in vitro model was nearly five times faster than 2D controls (7-9 cm/s) and similar to in vivo (40-64 cm/s) and ex vivo (28-51 cm/s) measurements. Our iPS-derived in vitro model recapitulates key features of in vivo atrial conduction and may be a useful methodology to enhance our understanding of AF and model patient-specific disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sergey Yechikov
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Bhupinder Shergill
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Brittany Brumback
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Kentaro Takahashi
- Department of MedicineWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Venktesh S. Shirure
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Ruth Estelle Gonzalez
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Laura Houshmand
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Denise Zhong
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kuo‐Chan Weng
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Jon Silva
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Timothy W. Smith
- Department of MedicineWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Stacey L. Rentschler
- Department of MedicineWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
- Department of Developmental BiologyWashington University in St. LouisSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Steven C. George
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
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8
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Fu F, Pietropaolo M, Cui L, Pandit S, Li W, Tarnavski O, Shetty SS, Liu J, Lussier JM, Murakami Y, Grewal PK, Deyneko G, Turner GM, Taggart AKP, Waters MG, Coughlin S, Adachi Y. Lack of authentic atrial fibrillation in commonly used murine atrial fibrillation models. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0256512. [PMID: 34995278 PMCID: PMC8741011 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse is a useful preclinical species for evaluating disease etiology due to the availability of a wide variety of genetically modified strains and the ability to perform disease-modifying manipulations. In order to establish an atrial filtration (AF) model in our laboratory, we profiled several commonly used murine AF models. We initially evaluated a pharmacological model of acute carbachol (CCh) treatment plus atrial burst pacing in C57BL/6 mice. In an effort to observe micro-reentrant circuits indicative of authentic AF, we employed optical mapping imaging in isolated mouse hearts. While CCh reduced atrial refractoriness and increased atrial tachyarrhythmia vulnerability, the left atrial (LA) excitation patterns were rather regular without reentrant circuits or wavelets. Therefore, the atrial tachyarrhythmia resembled high frequency atrial flutter, not typical AF per se. We next examined both a chronic angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion model and the surgical model of transverse aortic constriction (TAC), which have both been reported to induce atrial and ventricular structural changes that serve as a substrates for micro-reentrant AF. Although we observed some extent of atrial remodeling such as fibrosis or enlarged LA diameter, burst pacing-induced atrial tachyarrhythmia vulnerability did not differ from control mice in either model. This again suggested that an AF-like pathophysiology is difficult to demonstrate in the mouse. To continue searching for a valid murine AF model, we studied mice with a cardiac-specific deficiency (KO) in liver kinase B1 (Cardiac-LKB1), which has been reported to exhibit spontaneous AF. Indeed, the electrocardiograms (ECG) of conscious Cardiac-LKB1 KO mice exhibited no P waves and had irregular RR intervals, which are characteristics of AF. Histological evaluation of Cardiac-LKB1 KO mice revealed dilated and fibrotic atria, again consistent with AF. However, atrial electrograms and optical mapping revealed that electrical activity was limited to the sino-atrial node area with no electrical conduction into the atrial myocardium beyond. Thus, Cardiac-LKB1 KO mice have severe atrial myopathy or atrial standstill, but not AF. In summary, the atrial tachyarrhythmias we observed in the four murine models were distinct from typical human AF, which often exhibits micro- or macro-reentrant atrial circuits. Our results suggest that the four murine AF models we examined may not reflect human AF well, and raise a cautionary note for use of those murine models to study AF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fumin Fu
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Michael Pietropaolo
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Lei Cui
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Shilpa Pandit
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Weiyan Li
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Oleg Tarnavski
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Suraj S. Shetty
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Jing Liu
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Jennifer M. Lussier
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Yutaka Murakami
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Prabhjit K. Grewal
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Galina Deyneko
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Gordon M. Turner
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Andrew K. P. Taggart
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - M. Gerard Waters
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Shaun Coughlin
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
| | - Yuichiro Adachi
- Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases, Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Inc. Cambridge, Massachusetts, United State of America
- * E-mail:
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9
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Utility of Simultaneous Biatrial Atrial Anti-Tachycardia Pacing for the Termination of Atrial Fibrillation during Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11030575. [PMID: 35160027 PMCID: PMC8837084 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11030575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Atrial anti-tachycardia pacing (A-ATP) of the right atrium (RA) has been shown to decrease the burden of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers. The aim of this study is to identify the novel predictors of effective A-ATP for terminating AF in patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation. Methods: This study included 41 consecutive patients undergoing a first ablation procedure for paroxysmal (PAF: n = 21) or persistent (PEF: n = 20) AF. We prospectively evaluated predictors of AF termination after A-ATP. The coefficient of variation (CoV = SD/mean × 100) of the dominant frequencies (DFs) was calculated to evaluate the variability in atrial activation. Results: AF was terminated by A-ATP in 29% of PAF and 5% of PEF patients. In these patients, simultaneous high-rate pacing from the RA and the coronary sinus (CS) terminated AF in 71% of patients, in whom the mean AF cycle length (CL) before A-ATP was longer (214 ± 23 vs. 177 ± 35 ms, p = 0.02) and became slower after A-ATP (234 ± 37 vs. 176 ± 32 ms, p < 0.01), compared to unsuccessful patients. The CoV of the DFs before A-ATP were lower in both RA (6.2 ± 2.0 vs. 15.3 ± 7.9, p = 0.02) and CS (11.0 ± 7.9 vs. 24.3 ± 9.3, p < 0.01) in successful patients. Conclusions: Simultaneous biatrial A-ATP from the RA and CS could terminate AF in patients with PAF. The predictors for successful termination include longer AF CL and higher AF stability.
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10
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Leclercq F, Odorico X, Marin G, Christophe Macia J, Delseny D, Agullo A, Pages L, Robert P, Lattuca B, Cayla G, Roubille F, Gaillard N, Arquizan C, Akodad M. Atrial fibrillation screening on systematic ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring after percutaneous patent foramen ovale closure: A prospective study. IJC HEART & VASCULATURE 2021; 37:100919. [PMID: 34849392 PMCID: PMC8609133 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2021.100919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) following patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure is low (<5%) AF occurs early following PFO closure and is not associated with an increased risk of embolic complications. Symptomatic atrial ectopic beats are frequent following PFO closure and not associated with AF.
Background Increased risk of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) after patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure was observed in randomized trials without however systematic AF screening. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of AF within 6-month following PFO closure with serial 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram (AECG) monitoring. Methods All patients undergoing PFO closure were prospectively included in 2 centers. AF was defined as irregular rhythm without discernible P waves > 30 s on AECG at day 0, 1-month and 6-month follow-up. Primary endpoint was the incidence of AF within the study period. Secondary endpoints evaluated clinical outcomes within 6-month follow-up. Results Between February 2018 and March 2019, 62 patients underwent PFO closure including 40 male (64.5%) with a mean age of 48 ± 9.5. Atrial septal aneurysm was observed in 37 patients (64.9%), 57 patients (91.9%) received an Amplatzer Occluder device (Abbott Vascular) and 5 (8.1%) an Occlutech device (Occlutech). After a mean follow-up of 7.7 ± 2.8 months, new-onset AF occurred in 3 patients (4.8%), all within the first month following PFO closure, including one per-procedural, all were asymptomatic and paroxysmal. Two patients with AF (3.2%) required chronic oral anticoagulant therapy. No adverse outcomes occurred at follow-up. No predictive factors of AF were highlighted. A total of 16 patients (25.8%) reported palpitations without AF on the AECGs. Conclusion In highly selected patients, incidence of AF, evaluated with 3 systematic 24-hour AECG within 6-month following PFO closure, was low (<5%). Always paroxysmal, AF occurred within the first month after the procedure and was not associated with adverse outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Leclercq
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Xavier Odorico
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Gregory Marin
- Department of Medical Information, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | | | - Delphine Delseny
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Audrey Agullo
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Laurence Pages
- Department of Medical Information, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Pierre Robert
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Benoit Lattuca
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Nimes, France
| | - Guillaume Cayla
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Nimes, France
| | - François Roubille
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France.,PhyMedExp INSERM U1046, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | - Nicolas Gaillard
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
| | | | - Mariama Akodad
- Department of Cardiology, University Hospital of Montpellier, France.,PhyMedExp INSERM U1046, University Hospital of Montpellier, France
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11
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O’Neill L, Wielandts JY, Gillis K, Hilfiker G, Le Polain De Waroux JB, Tavernier R, Duytschaever M, Knecht S. Catheter Ablation in Persistent AF, the Evolution towards a More Pragmatic Strategy. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10184060. [PMID: 34575173 PMCID: PMC8467025 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184060] [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: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide and represents a heterogeneous disorder with a complex pathological basis. While significant technological advances have taken place over the last decade in the field of catheter ablation of AF, response to ablation varies and long-term success rates in those with persistent AF remain modest. Mechanistic studies have highlighted potentially different sustaining factors for AF in the persistent AF population with substrate-driven focal and re-entrant sources in the body of the atria identified on invasive and non-invasive mapping studies. Translation to clinical practice, however, remains challenging and the application of such mapping techniques to clinical ablation has yet to demonstrate a significant benefit beyond pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) alone in the persistent AF cohort. Recent advances in catheter and ablation technology have centered on improving the durability of ablation lesions at index procedure and although encouraging results have been demonstrated with early studies, large-scale trials are awaited. Further meaningful improvement in clinical outcomes in the persistent AF population requires ongoing advancement in the understanding of AF mechanisms, coupled with continuing progress in catheter technology capable of delivering durable transmural lesions.
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12
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Migdady I, Russman A, Buletko AB. Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Stroke: A Clinical Review. Semin Neurol 2021; 41:348-364. [PMID: 33851396 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1726332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important risk factor for ischemic stroke resulting in a fivefold increased stroke risk and a twofold increased mortality. Our understanding of stroke mechanisms in AF has evolved since the concept of atrial cardiopathy was introduced as an underlying pathological change, with both AF and thromboembolism being common manifestations and outcomes. Despite the strong association with stroke, there is no evidence that screening for AF in asymptomatic patients improves clinical outcomes; however, there is strong evidence that patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source may require long-term monitoring to detect silent or paroxysmal AF. Stroke prevention in patients at risk, assessed by the CHA2DS2-VASc score, was traditionally achieved with warfarin; however, direct oral anticoagulants have solidified their role as safe and effective alternatives. Additionally, left atrial appendage exclusion has emerged as a viable option in patients intolerant of anticoagulation. When patients with AF have an acute stroke, the timing of initiation or resumption of anticoagulation for secondary stroke prevention has to be balanced against the risk of hemorrhagic conversion. Multiple randomized clinical trials are currently underway to determine the best timing for administration of anticoagulants following acute ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Migdady
- Division of Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Andrew Russman
- Cerebrovascular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Andrew B Buletko
- Cerebrovascular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
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13
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Wang X, Chen X, Dobrev D, Li N. The crosstalk between cardiomyocyte calcium and inflammasome signaling pathways in atrial fibrillation. Pflugers Arch 2021; 473:389-405. [PMID: 33511453 DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02515-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent arrhythmia in adults. The prevalence and incidence of AF is going to increase substantially over the next few decades. Because AF increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia, and others, it severely impacts the quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Although the pathogenesis of AF is multifaceted and complex, focal ectopic activity and reentry are considered as the fundamental proarrhythmic mechanisms underlying AF development. Over the past 2 decades, large amount of evidence points to the key role of intracellular Ca2+ dysregulation in both initiation and maintenance of AF. More recently, emerging evidence reveal that NLRP3 (NACHT, LRR, PYD domain-containing 3) inflammasome pathway contributes to the substrate of both triggered activity and reentry, ultimately promoting AF. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge on Ca2+ signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activity in AF. We also discuss the potential crosstalk between these two quintessential contributors to AF promotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Wang
- Department of Medicine (Section of Cardiovascular Research), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Xiaohui Chen
- Department of Medicine (Section of Cardiovascular Research), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Dobromir Dobrev
- Institute of Pharmacology, West German Heart and Vascular Center, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Na Li
- Department of Medicine (Section of Cardiovascular Research), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA. .,Cardiovascular Research Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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14
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Bifulco SF, Akoum N, Boyle PM. Translational applications of computational modelling for patients with cardiac arrhythmias. Heart 2020; 107:heartjnl-2020-316854. [PMID: 33303478 PMCID: PMC10896425 DOI: 10.1136/heartjnl-2020-316854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmia is associated with high morbidity, and its underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Computational modelling and simulation approaches have the potential to improve standard-of-care therapy for these disorders, offering deeper understanding of complex disease processes and sophisticated translational tools for planning clinical procedures. This review provides a clinician-friendly summary of recent advancements in computational cardiology. Organ-scale models automatically generated from clinical-grade imaging data are used to custom tailor our understanding of arrhythmia drivers, estimate future arrhythmogenic risk and personalise treatment plans. Recent mechanistic insights derived from atrial and ventricular arrhythmia simulations are highlighted, and the potential avenues to patient care (eg, by revealing new antiarrhythmic drug targets) are covered. Computational approaches geared towards improving outcomes in resynchronisation therapy have used simulations to elucidate optimal patient selection and lead location. Technology to personalise catheter ablation procedures are also covered, specifically preliminary outcomes form early-stage or pilot clinical studies. To conclude, future developments in computational cardiology are discussed, including improving the representation of patient-specific fibre orientations and fibrotic remodelling characterisation and how these might improve understanding of arrhythmia mechanisms and provide transformative tools for patient-specific therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Savannah F Bifulco
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Nazem Akoum
- Department of Cardiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Patrick M Boyle
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Center for Cardiovascular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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15
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Mitchell R, Bonilla Isaza CA. Long-standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation Ablation: the Role of the Inter- and Intra-atrial Bundles. JOURNAL OF CARDIAC ARRHYTHMIAS 2020. [DOI: 10.24207/jca.v33i2.3368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Catheter ablation has become the mainstream treatment of atrial fibrillation, but still remains a challenge in those patient with persistent and long standing persistent atrial fibrillation.
In addition of isolation of the pulmonary veins, any other areas that can trigger or perpetuate atrial fibrillation need to be isolated. Current technologies may allow to effectively deliver permanently lasting lesions, and therefore improve clinical outcomes after ablation. The specialized conduction system including the Bachmann and septopulmonary bundles, are important substrate targets for the management of atrial fibrillation. The anatomical location of these fibers, and the corresponding approach for ablation are described in this case.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell Mitchell
- Cardiovascular Institute – AdventHealth Medical Group – Orlando (FL), USA
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16
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Pedro B, Fontes-Sousa AP, Gelzer AR. Canine atrial fibrillation: Pathophysiology, epidemiology and classification. Vet J 2020; 265:105548. [PMID: 33129553 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common non-physiological arrhythmia in dogs and humans. Its high prevalence in both species and the impact it has on survival time and quality of life of affected patients, makes it a very relevant topic of medical research. Significant developments in understanding the mechanisms underlying this arrhythmia in humans has occurred over the last decades and some of this knowledge is being applied to veterinary medicine, despite the many differences between species. This article reviews the current understanding of the pathophysiology of AF. The epidemiology and classification of AF in dogs will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brigite Pedro
- Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, Highlands Road, Solihull, West Midlands B90 4NH, UK.
| | - Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa
- Laboratório de Farmacologia e Neurobiologia, Centro de Investigação Farmacológica e Inovação Medicamentosa (MedInUP), Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Anna R Gelzer
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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17
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Lipovsky CE, Jimenez J, Guo Q, Li G, Yin T, Hicks SC, Bhatnagar S, Takahashi K, Zhang DM, Brumback BD, Goldsztejn U, Nadadur RD, Perez-Cervantez C, Moskowitz IP, Liu S, Zhang B, Rentschler SL. Chamber-specific transcriptional responses in atrial fibrillation. JCI Insight 2020; 5:135319. [PMID: 32841220 PMCID: PMC7526559 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.135319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, yet the molecular signature of the vulnerable atrial substrate is not well understood. Here, we delineated a distinct transcriptional signature in right versus left atrial cardiomyocytes (CMs) at baseline and identified chamber-specific gene expression changes in patients with a history of AF in the setting of end-stage heart failure (AF+HF) that are not present in heart failure alone (HF). We observed that human left atrial (LA) CMs exhibited Notch pathway activation and increased ploidy in AF+HF but not in HF alone. Transient activation of Notch signaling within adult CMs in a murine genetic model is sufficient to increase ploidy in both atrial chambers. Notch activation within LA CMs generated a transcriptomic fingerprint resembling AF, with dysregulation of transcription factor and ion channel genes, including Pitx2, Tbx5, Kcnh2, Kcnq1, and Kcnip2. Notch activation also produced distinct cellular electrophysiologic responses in LA versus right atrial CMs, prolonging the action potential duration (APD) without altering the upstroke velocity in the left atrium and reducing the maximal upstroke velocity without altering the APD in the right atrium. Our results support a shared human/murine model of increased Notch pathway activity predisposing to AF. Distinct transcriptional changes occur in human left versus right atrial cardiomyocytes in atrial fibrillation, including Notch pathway activation, which alters electric properties and ploidy in murine models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Lipovsky
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Developmental Biology, and
| | | | - Qiusha Guo
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Tiankai Yin
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division
| | | | - Somya Bhatnagar
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Developmental Biology, and
| | | | | | - Brittany D Brumback
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Uri Goldsztejn
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Rangarajan D Nadadur
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Carlos Perez-Cervantez
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ivan P Moskowitz
- Departments of Pediatrics, Pathology, and Human Genetics, Biological Sciences Division, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, and
| | - Stacey L Rentschler
- Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division.,Department of Developmental Biology, and.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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18
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Decloedt A, Van Steenkiste G, Vera L, Buhl R, van Loon G. Atrial fibrillation in horses part 1: Pathophysiology. Vet J 2020; 263:105521. [PMID: 32928494 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2020.105521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common clinically relevant arrhythmia in horses, with a reported prevalence up to 2.5%. The pathophysiology has mainly been investigated in experimental animal models and human medicine, with limited studies in horses. Atrial fibrillation results from the interplay between electrical triggers and a susceptible substrate. Triggers consist of atrial premature depolarizations due to altered automaticity or triggered activity, or local (micro)reentry. The arrhythmia is promoted by atrial myocardial ion channel alterations, Ca2+ handling alterations, structural abnormalities, and autonomic nervous system imbalance. Predisposing factors include structural heart disease such as valvular regurgitation resulting in chronic atrial stretch, although many horses show so-called 'lone AF' or idiopathic AF in which no underlying cardiac abnormalities can be detected using routine diagnostic techniques. These horses may have underlying ion channel dysfunction or undiagnosed myocardial (micro)structural alterations. Atrial fibrillation itself results in electrical, contractile and structural remodelling, fostering AF maintenance. Electrical remodelling leads to shortening of the atrial effective refractory period, promoting reentry. Contractile remodelling consists of decreased myocardial contractility, while structural remodelling includes the development of interstitial fibrosis and atrial enlargement. Reverse remodelling occurs after cardioversion to sinus rhythm, but full recovery may take weeks to months depending on duration of AF. The clinical signs of AF depend on the aerobic demands during exercise, ventricular rhythm response and presence of underlying cardiac disease. In horses with so-called 'lone AF', clinical signs are usually absent at rest but during exercise poor performance, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, respiratory distress, weakness or rarely collapse may develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies Decloedt
- Equine Cardioteam Gent University, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.
| | - Glenn Van Steenkiste
- Equine Cardioteam Gent University, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Lisse Vera
- Equine Cardioteam Gent University, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Rikke Buhl
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gunther van Loon
- Equine Cardioteam Gent University, Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
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19
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Wijesuriya N, Papageorgiou N, Maclean E, Saberwal B, Ahsan S. The Role of the Electrophysiologist in Convergent Ablation. Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev 2020; 9:8-14. [PMID: 32637114 PMCID: PMC7330726 DOI: 10.15420/aer.2019.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Catheter ablation is a well-established treatment for patients with AF in whom sinus rhythm is desired. Both radiofrequency catheter ablation and cryoablation are widely performed, rapidly developing techniques. Convergent ablation is a novel hybrid technique combining an endocardial radiofrequency ablation with a minimally invasive epicardial surgical ablation. Some suggest that hybrid ablation may be more effective than lone endocardial ablation in achieving the elusive goal of maintaining sinus rhythm in patients with non-paroxysmal AF. In this article, the authors examine the safety and efficacy of catheter ablation and convergent ablation for long-standing, persistent AF. We also outline the crucial role that electrophysiologists play, not only as a procedure operator, but also as the coordinator and developer of this multidisciplinary service.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Edd Maclean
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Bunny Saberwal
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Syed Ahsan
- Barts Heart Centre, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London, UK
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20
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Effect of acute and chronic ethanol on atrial fibrillation vulnerability in rats. Heart Rhythm 2020; 17:654-660. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2019.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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21
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van Gorp PRR, Trines SA, Pijnappels DA, de Vries AAF. Multicellular In vitro Models of Cardiac Arrhythmias: Focus on Atrial Fibrillation. Front Cardiovasc Med 2020; 7:43. [PMID: 32296716 PMCID: PMC7138102 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice with a large socioeconomic impact due to its associated morbidity, mortality, reduction in quality of life and health care costs. Currently, antiarrhythmic drug therapy is the first line of treatment for most symptomatic AF patients, despite its limited efficacy, the risk of inducing potentially life-threating ventricular tachyarrhythmias as well as other side effects. Alternative, in-hospital treatment modalities consisting of electrical cardioversion and invasive catheter ablation improve patients' symptoms, but often have to be repeated and are still associated with serious complications and only suitable for specific subgroups of AF patients. The development and progression of AF generally results from the interplay of multiple disease pathways and is accompanied by structural and functional (e.g., electrical) tissue remodeling. Rational development of novel treatment modalities for AF, with its many different etiologies, requires a comprehensive insight into the complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Monolayers of atrial cells represent a simplified surrogate of atrial tissue well-suited to investigate atrial arrhythmia mechanisms, since they can easily be used in a standardized, systematic and controllable manner to study the role of specific pathways and processes in the genesis, perpetuation and termination of atrial arrhythmias. In this review, we provide an overview of the currently available two- and three-dimensional multicellular in vitro systems for investigating the initiation, maintenance and termination of atrial arrhythmias and AF. This encompasses cultures of primary (animal-derived) atrial cardiomyocytes (CMs), pluripotent stem cell-derived atrial-like CMs and (conditionally) immortalized atrial CMs. The strengths and weaknesses of each of these model systems for studying atrial arrhythmias will be discussed as well as their implications for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pim R R van Gorp
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Serge A Trines
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Daniël A Pijnappels
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Antoine A F de Vries
- Laboratory of Experimental Cardiology, Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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22
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Borlich M, Sommer P. Cardiac Mapping Systems: Rhythmia, Topera, EnSite Precision, and CARTO. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2020; 11:449-458. [PMID: 31400869 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2019.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Novel cardiac mapping systems allow a safe and highly accurate 3-D reconstruction of cardiac structures as well as fast and accurate visualization of cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, they are increasingly reducing the need for fluoroscopy in these procedures. The current state of the art, as well as the presentation of possible uses of individual systems and their limitations, is presented in this article. Cardiac mapping systems can significantly contribute to an optimal therapeutic decision making in invasive electrophysiology. This article introduces new developments of Rhythmia, Topera, EnSite Precision, and CARTO systems and provides a look ahead to the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Borlich
- Heart Center, Segeberger Kliniken (Academic Teaching Hospital of the Universities of Kiel, Lübeck and Hamburg), Am Kurpark 1, Bad Segeberg, Schleswig-Holstein 23795, Germany.
| | - Philipp Sommer
- Clinic of Electrophysiology, Heart and Diabetes Center NRW, University Hospital of Ruhr-University Bochum, Georgstr. 11, Bad Oeynhausen, Nordrhein-Westfalen 32545, Germany
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23
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Ladas TP, Sugrue A, Nan J, Vaidya VR, Padmanabhan D, Venkatachalam KL, Asirvatham SJ. Fundamentals of Cardiac Mapping. Card Electrophysiol Clin 2020; 11:433-448. [PMID: 31400868 DOI: 10.1016/j.ccep.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To characterize cardiac activity and arrhythmias, electrophysiologists can record the electrical activity of the heart in relation to its anatomy through a process called cardiac mapping (electroanatomic mapping, EAM). A solid understanding of the basic cardiac biopotentials, called electrograms, is imperative to construct and interpret the cardiac EAM correctly. There are several mapping approaches available to the electrophysiologist, each optimized for specific arrhythmia mechanisms. This article provides an overview of the fundamentals of EAM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas P Ladas
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alan Sugrue
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - John Nan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Vaibhav R Vaidya
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Deepak Padmanabhan
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - K L Venkatachalam
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Samuel J Asirvatham
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Division of Heart Rhythm Services, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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24
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Ciaccio EJ, Wan EY, Saluja DS, Acharya UR, Peters NS, Garan H. Addressing challenges of quantitative methodologies and event interpretation in the study of atrial fibrillation. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2019; 178:113-122. [PMID: 31416540 PMCID: PMC6748794 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2019.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2019] [Revised: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the commonest arrhythmia, yet the mechanisms of its onset and persistence are incompletely known. Although techniques for quantitative assessment have been investigated, there have been few attempts to integrate this information to advance disease treatment protocols. In this review, key quantitative methods for AF analysis are described, and suggestions are provided for the coordination of the available information, and to develop foci and directions for future research efforts. Quantitative biologists may have an interest in this topic in order to develop machine learning and tools for arrhythmia characterization, but they may perhaps have a minimal background in the clinical methodology and in the types of observed events and mechanistic hypotheses that have thus far been developed. We attempt to address these issues via exploration of the published literature. Although no new data is presented in this review, examples are shown of current lines of investigation, and in particular, how electrogram analysis and whole-chamber quantitative modeling of the left atrium may be useful to characterize fibrillatory patterns of activity, so as to propose avenues for more efficacious acquisition and interpretation of AF data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward J Ciaccio
- Department of Medicine - Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA; ElectroCardioMaths Programme, Imperial Centre for Cardiac Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Elaine Y Wan
- Department of Medicine - Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deepak S Saluja
- Department of Medicine - Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - U Rajendra Acharya
- Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore
| | - Nicholas S Peters
- ElectroCardioMaths Programme, Imperial Centre for Cardiac Engineering, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Hasan Garan
- Department of Medicine - Division of Cardiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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25
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Sánchez J, Gomez JF, Martinez-Mateu L, Romero L, Saiz J, Trenor B. Heterogeneous Effects of Fibroblast-Myocyte Coupling in Different Regions of the Human Atria Under Conditions of Atrial Fibrillation. Front Physiol 2019; 10:847. [PMID: 31333496 PMCID: PMC6620707 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is characterized by alteration of the action potential (AP) propagation. Under persistent AF, myocytes undergo electrophysiological and structural remodeling, which involves fibroblast proliferation and differentiation, modifying the substrate for AP propagation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects on the AP of fibroblast-myocyte coupling during AF and its propagation in different regions of the atria. Methods: Isolated myocytes were coupled to different numbers of fibroblasts using the established AP models and tissue simulations were performed by randomly distributing fibroblasts. Fibroblast formulations were updated to match recent experimental data. Major ion current conductances of the myocyte model were modified to simulate AP heterogeneity in four different atrial regions (right atrium posterior wall, crista terminalis, left atrium posterior wall, and pulmonary vein) according to experimental and computational studies. Results: The results of the coupled myocyte-fibroblast simulations suggest that a more depolarized membrane potential and higher fibroblast membrane capacitance have a greater impact on AP duration and myocyte maximum depolarization velocity. The number of coupled fibroblasts and the stimulation frequency are determining factors in altering myocyte AP. Strand simulations show that conduction velocity tends to homogenize in all regions, while the left atrium is more likely to be affected by fibroblast and AP propagation block is more likely to occur. The pulmonary vein is the most affected region, even at low fibroblast densities. In 2D sheets with randomly placed fibroblasts, wavebreaks are observed in the low density (10%) central fibrotic zone and when fibroblast density increases (40%) propagation in the fibrotic region is practically blocked. At densities of 10 and 20% the width of the vulnerable window increases with respect to control but is decreased at 40%. Conclusion: Myocyte-fibroblast coupling characteristics heterogeneously affect AP propagation and features in the different atrial zones, and myocytes from the left atria are more sensitive to fibroblast coupling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Sánchez
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan F Gomez
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Laura Martinez-Mateu
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Lucia Romero
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Saiz
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Beatriz Trenor
- Centre for Research and Innovation in Bioengineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
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26
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Nakanishi H, Lee JK, Miwa K, Masuyama K, Yasutake H, Li J, Tomoyama S, Honda Y, Deguchi J, Tsujimoto S, Hidaka K, Miyagawa S, Sawa Y, Komuro I, Sakata Y. Geometrical Patterning and Constituent Cell Heterogeneity Facilitate Electrical Conduction Disturbances in a Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Based Platform: An In vitro Disease Model of Atrial Arrhythmias. Front Physiol 2019; 10:818. [PMID: 31316396 PMCID: PMC6610482 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ectopic foci from pulmonary veins (PVs) comprise the main trigger associated with the initiation of atrial fibrillation (AF). An abrupt anatomical narrow-to-wide transition, modeled as in vitro geometrical patterning with similar configuration in the present study, is located at the junction of PVs and the left atrium (LA). Complex cellular composition, i.e., constituent cell heterogeneity, is also observed in PVs and the PVs-LA junction. High frequency triggers accompanied with anatomical irregularity and constituent cell heterogeneity provoke impaired conduction, a prerequisite for AF genesis. However, few experiments investigating the effects of these factors on electrophysiological properties using human-based cardiomyocytes (CMs) with atrial properties have been reported. The aim of the current study was to estimate whether geometrical patterning and constituent cell heterogeneity under high frequency stimuli undergo conduction disturbance utilizing an in vitro two-dimensional (2D) monolayer preparation consisting of atrial-like CMs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and atrial fibroblasts (Fbs). We induced hiPSCs into atrial-like CMs using a directed cardiac differentiation protocol with the addition of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). The atrial-like hiPSC-derived CMs (hiPSC-CMs) and atrial Fbs were transferred in defined ratios (CMs/Fbs: 100%/0% or 70%/30%) on manually fabricated plates with or without geometrical patterning imitating the PVs-LA junction. High frequency field stimulation emulating repetitive ectopic foci originated in PVs were delivered, and the electrical propagation was assessed by optical mapping. We generated high purity CMs with or without the ATRA application. ATRA-treated hiPSC-CMs exhibited significantly higher atrial-specific properties by immunofluorescence staining, gene expression patterns, and optical action potential parameters than those of ATRA-untreated hiPSC-CMs. Electrical stimuli at a higher frequency preferentially induced impaired electrical conduction on atrial-like hiPSC-CMs monolayer preparations with an abrupt geometrical transition than on those with uniform geometry. Additionally, the application of human atrial Fbs to the geometrically patterned atrial-like hiPSC-CMs tended to further deteriorate the integrity of electrical conduction compared with those using the atrial-like hiPSC-CM alone preparations. Thus, geometrical narrow-to-wide patterning under high frequency stimuli preferentially jeopardized electrical conduction within in vitro atrial-like hiPSC-CM monolayers. Constituent cell heterogeneity represented by atrial Fbs also contributed to the further deterioration of conduction stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Nakanishi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Jong-Kook Lee
- Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Keiko Miwa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kiyoshi Masuyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Hideki Yasutake
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Satoki Tomoyama
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yayoi Honda
- Preclinical Research Unit, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Jiro Deguchi
- Preclinical Research Unit, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Shinji Tsujimoto
- Regenerative & Cellular Medicine Office, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan
| | - Kyoko Hidaka
- Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Center for Fundamental Education, The University of Kitakyushu, Kitakyushu, Japan
| | - Shigeru Miyagawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Sawa
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Issei Komuro
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Sakata
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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27
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Gianni C, Mohanty S, Trivedi C, Di Biase L, Natale A. Novel concepts and approaches in ablation of atrial fibrillation: the role of non-pulmonary vein triggers. Europace 2019; 20:1566-1576. [PMID: 29697759 DOI: 10.1093/europace/euy034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Ablation of non-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers is an important step to improve outcomes in atrial fibrillation ablation. Non-pulmonary vein triggers typically originates from predictable sites (such as the left atrial posterior wall, superior vena cava, coronary sinus, interatrial septum, and crest terminalis), and these areas can be ablated either empirically or after observing significant ectopy (with or without drug challenge). In this review, we will focus on ablation of non-PV triggers, summarizing the existing evidence and our current approach for their mapping and ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carola Gianni
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA.,U.O.C. Cardiologia, IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Sanghamitra Mohanty
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA.,Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Chintan Trivedi
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Luigi Di Biase
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.,Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.,Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Andrea Natale
- Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David's Medical Center, Austin, TX, USA.,Dell Medical School, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas, Austin, TX, USA.,MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Division of Cardiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Services, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
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28
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Martinez-Mateu L, Romero L, Saiz J, Berenfeld O. Far-field contributions in multi-electrodes atrial recordings blur distinction between anatomical and functional reentries and may cause imaginary phase singularities - A computational study. Comput Biol Med 2019; 108:276-287. [PMID: 31015048 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2019.02.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and the most important cause of embolic stroke, requiring new technologies for its better understanding and therapies. Recent approaches to map the electrical activity during AF with multi-electrode systems aim at localizing patient-specific ablation targets of reentrant patterns. However, there is a critical need to determine the accuracy of those mapping systems. We performed computer simulations as a numerical approach of systematically evaluating the influence of far-field sources on the electrical recordings and detection of rotors. METHODS We constructed 2 computer models of atrial tissue: (i) a 2D sheet model with varying non-active cells area in its center, and (ii) a whole realistic 3D atrial model. Phase maps were built based on the Hilbert transform of the unipolar electrograms recorded by virtual 2D and 3D multi-electrode systems and rotors were tracked through phase singularities detections. RESULTS Analysis of electrograms recorded away from the 2D atrial model shows that the larger the distance between an electrode and the tissue model, the stronger the far-field sources contribution to the electrogram is. Importantly, even if an electrode is positioned in contact with the tissue, the electrogram contains significant contributions from distal sources that blur the distinction between anatomical and functional reentries. Moreover, when mapping the 3D atrial model, remote activity generated false phase singularities at locations without local reentrant excitation patterns. CONCLUSIONS Far-field contributions to electrograms during AF reduce the accuracy of detecting and interpreting reentrant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Martinez-Mateu
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Lucia Romero
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Javier Saiz
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación en Bioingeniería, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Omer Berenfeld
- Center for Arrhythmia Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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29
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Bell DSH, Goncalves E. Atrial fibrillation and type 2 diabetes: Prevalence, etiology, pathophysiology and effect of anti-diabetic therapies. Diabetes Obes Metab 2019; 21:210-217. [PMID: 30144274 DOI: 10.1111/dom.13512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
New-onset atrial fibrillation (NAF) is increased in the type 2 diabetic patient because of the presence of the metaboli syndrome and increased sympathetic activity. This results in inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and myocardial steatosis which, in turn, lead to atrial fibrosis and dilatation. The end result is the development of structural and electrical atrial remodeling. Drugs that lower insulin resistance, particularly pioglitazone, decrease the incidence of NAF while drugs that, through hypoglycaemia, stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, insulin and secretagogues, increase the incidence of NAF. Currently there is no evidence that GLP-1 agonists, SGLT2 inhibitors and DPP-4 inhibitors either accelerate or decelerate the development of NAF.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S H Bell
- Southside Endocrinology and Diabetes and Thyroid Associates, Birmingham, Alabama
| | - Edison Goncalves
- Southside Endocrinology and Diabetes and Thyroid Associates, Birmingham, Alabama
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30
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Azpilicueta J, Chmelevsky M, Potyagaylo D. ECGI in atrial fibrillation: A clinician's wish list. J Electrocardiol 2018; 51:S88-S91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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31
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Wann D, Waks JW, Kramer DB. Clinical and regulatory considerations for novel electrophysiology mapping systems: Lessons from FIRM. PACING AND CLINICAL ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY: PACE 2018; 41:1669-1680. [DOI: 10.1111/pace.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Revised: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wann
- Division of Cardiology, Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Jonathan W. Waks
- Division of Cardiology, Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
| | - Daniel B. Kramer
- Division of Cardiology, Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Harvard Medical School; Boston Massachusetts
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32
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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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33
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Shah SR, Moosa PG, Fatima M, Ochani RK, Shahnawaz W, Jangda MA, Shah SA. Atrial fibrillation and heart failure- results of the CASTLE-AF trial. J Community Hosp Intern Med Perspect 2018; 8:208-210. [PMID: 30181827 PMCID: PMC6116286 DOI: 10.1080/20009666.2018.1495979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Congestive Heart Failure (HF) and Atrial Fibrillation (AFIB) often coexist. Catheter ablation is a well-established option for symptomatic AFIB that is resistant to drug therapy in patients with otherwise normal cardiac function. This has been seen in various studies where catheter ablation was associated with positive outcomes in patients with HF. Recently, the study results from the Catheter Ablation versus Standard Conventional Therapy in Patients with Left Ventricular Dysfunction and Atrial Fibrillation (CASTLE-AF) trial were published. After a median follow-up of more than 3 years, patients getting catheter ablation for AFIB had significantly fewer hospital admissions as well as death from worsening HF. In addition, 63% of patients in the ablation group were in sinus rhythm, as compared with 22% of those in the medical-therapy group (P < 0.001). This trial may represent a significant additional therapeutic tool in the clinical prevention and management of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. While catheter ablation does not eliminate the AFIB per se, it can limit the ventricular rate by eliminating triggers and altering electrophysiological connections in the heart in a similar fashion to rate control anti-arrhythmic drugs. Longer-duration normal sinus rhythm may improve outcomes by means of a number of mechanisms, including greater atrial emptying, all of which translate into improved cardiac output. A better understanding is needed as to why a decrease in density, but not complete elimination of atrial fibrillation, is sufficient for reverse remodelling. It is anticipated that the results of the CASTLE-AF trial will soon be implemented in international guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Raza Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, North Florida Regional Medical Center, University of Central Florida (Gainesville), Gainesville, USA
| | - Palwasha Ghulam Moosa
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Mazia Fatima
- Department of Internal Medicine, Post Doc Fellow Cardiology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
| | - Rohan Kumar Ochani
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Waqas Shahnawaz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Agha Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ahmed Jangda
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Syed Arbab Shah
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ziauddin Medical University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
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34
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Dharmaprani D, Dykes L, McGavigan AD, Kuklik P, Pope K, Ganesan AN. Information Theory and Atrial Fibrillation (AF): A Review. Front Physiol 2018; 9:957. [PMID: 30050471 PMCID: PMC6052893 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac rhythm disorder seen in hospitals and in general practice, accounting for up to a third of arrhythmia related hospitalizations. Unfortunately, AF treatment is in practice complicated by the lack of understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying the arrhythmia, which makes detection of effective ablation targets particularly difficult. Various approaches to AF mapping have been explored in the hopes of better pinpointing these effective targets, such as Dominant Frequency (DF) analysis, complex fractionated electrograms (CFAE) and unipolar reconstruction (FIRM), but many of these methods have produced conflicting results or require further investigation. Exploration of AF using information theoretic-based approaches may have the potential to provide new insights into the complex system dynamics of AF, whilst also providing the benefit of being less reliant on empirically derived definitions in comparison to alternate mapping approaches. This work provides an overview of information theory and reviews its applications in AF analysis, with particular focus on AF mapping. The works discussed in this review demonstrate how understanding AF from a signal property perspective can provide new insights into the arrhythmic phenomena, which may have valuable clinical implications for AF mapping and ablation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhani Dharmaprani
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Lukah Dykes
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Andrew D. McGavigan
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Pawel Kuklik
- Department of Cardiology, University Medical Centre, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Kenneth Pope
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University of South Australia, 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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35
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Alagoz C, Cohen AR, Frisch DR, Tunç B, Phatharodom S, Guez A. Spiral waves characterization: Implications for an automated cardiodynamic tissue characterization. COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE 2018; 161:15-24. [PMID: 29852958 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmpb.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2017] [Revised: 02/25/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Spiral waves are phenomena observed in cardiac tissue especially during fibrillatory activities. Spiral waves are revealed through in-vivo and in-vitro studies using high density mapping that requires special experimental setup. Also, in-silico spiral wave analysis and classification is performed using membrane potentials from entire tissue. In this study, we report a characterization approach that identifies spiral wave behaviors using intracardiac electrogram (EGM) readings obtained with commonly used multipolar diagnostic catheters that perform localized but high-resolution readings. Specifically, the algorithm is designed to distinguish between stationary, meandering, and break-up rotors. METHODS The clustering and classification algorithms are tested on simulated data produced using a phenomenological 2D model of cardiac propagation. For EGM measurements, unipolar-bipolar EGM readings from various locations on tissue using two catheter types are modeled. The distance measure between spiral behaviors are assessed using normalized compression distance (NCD), an information theoretical distance. NCD is a universal metric in the sense it is solely based on compressibility of dataset and not requiring feature extraction. We also introduce normalized FFT distance (NFFTD) where compressibility is replaced with a FFT parameter. RESULTS Overall, outstanding clustering performance was achieved across varying EGM reading configurations. We found that effectiveness in distinguishing was superior in case of NCD than NFFTD. We demonstrated that distinct spiral activity identification on a behaviorally heterogeneous tissue is also possible. CONCLUSIONS This report demonstrates a theoretical validation of clustering and classification approaches that provide an automated mapping from EGM signals to assessment of spiral wave behaviors and hence offers a potential mapping and analysis framework for cardiac tissue wavefront propagation patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celal Alagoz
- ECE Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Andrew R Cohen
- ECE Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel R Frisch
- Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Birkan Tunç
- Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Allon Guez
- ECE Department, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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36
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Barichello S, Roberts JD, Backx P, Boyle PM, Laksman Z. Personalizing therapy for atrial fibrillation: the role of stem cell and in silico disease models. Cardiovasc Res 2018; 114:931-943. [DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvy090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Scott Barichello
- University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Jason D Roberts
- Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Patrick M Boyle
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Computational Medicine, Johns Hopkins University
| | - Zachary Laksman
- Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, 211-1033 Davie Street Vancouver, BC V6E 1M7, Canada
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37
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Enriquez A, Frankel DS, Baranchuk A. Pathophysiology of ventricular tachyarrhythmias : From automaticity to reentry. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2017; 28:149-156. [PMID: 28567491 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-017-0512-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Ventricular arrhythmias are a heterogeneous group of arrhythmias and may arise in patients with cardiomyopathy or structurally normal hearts. The electrophysiologic mechanisms responsible for the initiation and maintenance of ventricular tachycardia include enhanced automaticity, triggered activity, and reentry. Differentiating between these three mechanisms can be challenging and usually requires an invasive electrophysiology study. Establishing the underlying mechanism in a particular patient is helpful to define the optimal therapeutic approach, including the selection of pharmacologic agents or delineation of an ablation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andres Enriquez
- Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - David S Frankel
- Section of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Adrian Baranchuk
- Heart Rhythm Service, Kingston General Hospital, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
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38
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Monrad M, Sajadieh A, Christensen JS, Ketzel M, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Tjønneland A, Overvad K, Loft S, Sørensen M. Long-Term Exposure to Traffic-Related Air Pollution and Risk of Incident Atrial Fibrillation: A Cohort Study. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2017; 125:422-427. [PMID: 27472911 PMCID: PMC5332191 DOI: 10.1289/ehp392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia and is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The few studies conducted on short-term effects of air pollution on episodes of atrial fibrillation indicate a positive association, though not consistently. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term impact of traffic-related air pollution on incidence of atrial fibrillation in the general population. METHODS In the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort of 57,053 people 50-64 years old at enrollment in 1993-1997, we identified 2,700 cases of first-ever hospital admission for atrial fibrillation from enrollment to end of follow-up in 2011. For all cohort members, exposure to traffic-related air pollution assessed as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) was estimated at all present and past residential addresses from 1984 to 2011 using a validated dispersion model. We used Cox proportional hazard model to estimate associations between long-term residential exposure to NO2 and NOx and risk of atrial fibrillation, after adjusting for lifestyle and socioeconomic position. RESULTS A 10 μg/m3 higher 10-year time-weighted mean exposure to NO2 preceding diagnosis was associated with an 8% higher risk of atrial fibrillation [incidence rate ratio: 1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 1.14] in adjusted analysis. Though weaker, similar results were obtained for long-term residential exposure to NOx. We found no clear tendencies regarding effect modification of the association between NO2 and atrial fibrillation by sex, smoking, hypertension or myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION We found long-term residential traffic-related air pollution to be associated with higher risk of atrial fibrillation. Accordingly, the present findings lend further support to the demand for abatement of air pollution. Citation: Monrad M, Sajadieh A, Christensen JS, Ketzel M, Raaschou-Nielsen O, Tjønneland A, Overvad K, Loft S, Sørensen M. 2017. Long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and risk of incident atrial fibrillation: a cohort study. Environ Health Perspect 125:422-427; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/EHP392.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Monrad
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ahmad Sajadieh
- Department of Cardiology, Copenhagen University Hospital of Bispebjerg, Bispebjerg, Denmark
| | | | - Matthias Ketzel
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ole Raaschou-Nielsen
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Anne Tjønneland
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kim Overvad
- Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Steffen Loft
- Section of Environmental Health, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mette Sørensen
- Diet, Genes and Environment, Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen, Denmark
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