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Bazoukis G, Stavrakis S, Armoundas AA. Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: A State-of-the-Art Review. J Am Heart Assoc 2023; 12:e030539. [PMID: 37721168 PMCID: PMC10727239 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.123.030539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has been found to exert anti-inflammatory effects in different clinical settings and has been associated with improvement of clinical outcomes. However, evidence on the mechanistic link between the potential association of inflammatory status with clinical outcomes following VNS is scarce. This review aims to summarize the existing knowledge linking VNS with inflammation and its potential link with major outcomes in cardiovascular diseases, in both preclinical and clinical studies. Existing data show that in the setting of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion, VNS seems to reduce inflammation resulting in reduced infarct size and reduced incidence of ventricular arrhythmias during reperfusion. Furthermore, VNS has a protective role in vascular function following myocardial ischemia and reperfusion. Atrial fibrillation burden has also been reduced by VNS, whereas suppression of inflammation may be a potential mechanism for this effect. In the setting of heart failure, VNS was found to improve systolic function and reverse cardiac remodeling. In summary, existing experimental data show a reduction in inflammatory markers by VNS, which may cause improved clinical outcomes in cardiovascular diseases. However, more data are needed to evaluate the association between the inflammatory status with the clinical outcomes following VNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Bazoukis
- Department of CardiologyLarnaca General HospitalLarnacaCyprus
- Department of Basic and Clinical SciencesUniversity of Nicosia Medical SchoolNicosiaCyprus
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Heart Rhythm InstituteUniversity of Oklahoma Health Sciences CenterOklahoma CityOKUSA
| | - Antonis A. Armoundas
- Cardiovascular Research CenterMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
- Broad Institute, Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCambridgeMAUSA
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Soltani D, Stavrakis S. Neuromodulation for the Management of Atrial Fibrillation—How to Optimize Patient Selection and the Procedural Approach. CURRENT CARDIOVASCULAR RISK REPORTS 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s12170-023-00718-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
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Targeted Atrial Fibrillation Therapy and Risk Stratification Using Atrial Alternans. J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023; 10:jcdd10020036. [PMID: 36826532 PMCID: PMC9959422 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd10020036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most persistent arrhythmia today, with its prevalence increasing exponentially with the rising age of the population. Particularly at elevated heart rates, a functional abnormality known as cardiac alternans can occur prior to the onset of lethal arrhythmias. Cardiac alternans are a beat-to-beat oscillation of electrical activity and the force of cardiac muscle contraction. Extensive evidence has demonstrated that microvolt T-wave alternans can predict ventricular fibrillation vulnerability and the risk of sudden cardiac death. The majority of our knowledge of the mechanisms of alternans stems from studies of ventricular electrophysiology, although recent studies offer promising evidence of the potential of atrial alternans in predicting the risk of AF. Exciting preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated a link between atrial alternans and the onset of atrial tachyarrhythmias. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the clinical utility of atrial alternans in identifying the risk and guiding treatment of AF.
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Kulkarni K, Pallares-Lupon N, Armoundas AA, Pasdois P, Bernus O, Walton RD. Investigating Electrophysiological Markers of Arrhythmogenesis in a Chronic Myocardial Infarction Ovine Model. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022; 2022:657-661. [PMID: 36086483 DOI: 10.1109/embc48229.2022.9871496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cardiac alternans has been associated with an increased propensity to lethal tachyarrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation (VT/VF). Myocardial infarction (MI), resulting from restricted oxygen supply to the heart, is a known substrate for VT/VF. Here, we investigate the utility of cardiac alternans as a predictor of tachyarrhythmias in a chronic MI ovine model. In-vivo electrophysiological studies were performed to assess the change in microvolt T-wave alternans (TWA) with induction of acute ischemia following coronary artery occlusion. 24-hour telemetry was performed in an ambulatory animal for 6 weeks to monitor the progression of TWA with chronic MI. At 6 weeks, ex-vivo optical mapping experiments were performed to assess the spatiotemporal evolution of alternans in sham (n=5) and chronic MI hearts (n=8). Our results demonstrate that chronic MI leads to significant electrophysiological changes in the cardiac substrate. Significant increase in TWA is observed post occlusion and a steady rise in alternans is seen with progression of chronic MI. Compared to sham, chronic MI hearts show significant presence of localized action potential amplitude alternans, which spatially evolve with an increase in pacing frequency. Clinical Relevance - Our results demonstrate that localized alternans underlie arrhythmogenesis in chronic MI hearts and microvolt TWA can serve as a biomarker of disease progression during chronic MI.
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Patel MH, Sampath S, Kapoor A, Damani DN, Chellapuram N, Challa AB, Kaur MP, Walton RD, Stavrakis S, Arunachalam SP, Kulkarni K. Advances in Cardiac Pacing: Arrhythmia Prediction, Prevention and Control Strategies. Front Physiol 2021; 12:783241. [PMID: 34925071 PMCID: PMC8674736 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.783241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cardiac arrhythmias constitute a tremendous burden on healthcare and are the leading cause of mortality worldwide. An alarming number of people have been reported to manifest sudden cardiac death as the first symptom of cardiac arrhythmias, accounting for about 20% of all deaths annually. Furthermore, patients prone to atrial tachyarrhythmias such as atrial flutter and fibrillation often have associated comorbidities including hypertension, ischemic heart disease, valvular cardiomyopathy and increased risk of stroke. Technological advances in electrical stimulation and sensing modalities have led to the proliferation of medical devices including pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, aiming to restore normal cardiac rhythm. However, given the complex spatiotemporal dynamics and non-linearity of the human heart, predicting the onset of arrhythmias and preventing the transition from steady state to unstable rhythms has been an extremely challenging task. Defibrillatory shocks still remain the primary clinical intervention for lethal ventricular arrhythmias, yet patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators often suffer from inappropriate shocks due to false positives and reduced quality of life. Here, we aim to present a comprehensive review of the current advances in cardiac arrhythmia prediction, prevention and control strategies. We provide an overview of traditional clinical arrhythmia management methods and describe promising potential pacing techniques for predicting the onset of abnormal rhythms and effectively suppressing cardiac arrhythmias. We also offer a clinical perspective on bridging the gap between basic and clinical science that would aid in the assimilation of promising anti-arrhythmic pacing strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehrie Harshad Patel
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Shrikanth Sampath
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Anoushka Kapoor
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Nikitha Chellapuram
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | | | - Manmeet Pal Kaur
- Department of Medicine, GAIL, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Richard D. Walton
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université, Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
| | - Stavros Stavrakis
- Heart Rhythm Institute, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
| | - Shivaram P. Arunachalam
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Medicine, GAIL, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States
| | - Kanchan Kulkarni
- IHU LIRYC, Electrophysiology and Heart Modeling Institute, Fondation Bordeaux Université, Bordeaux, France
- Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, University of Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Cardio-Thoracique de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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