Effects of high thoracic epidural anesthesia on atrial electrophysiological characteristics and sympathetic nerve sprouting in a canine model of atrial fibrillation

High thoracic epidural anesthesia (HTEA) blocks the afferent and efferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers and may affect atrial electrophysiological characteristics and nerve sprouting in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, 18 dogs were randomly divided into a control group ( n  ...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Basic research in cardiology 2011-05, Vol.106 (3), p.495-506
Main Authors: Yang, Shu-sen, Han, Wei, Cao, Yong, Dong, Guo, Zhou, Guo, Li, Wei-min, Gan, Run-tao, Chang, Hui-ying, Wang, Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anesthesia, Epidural
Animals
Atrial Fibrillation - metabolism
Atrial Fibrillation - physiopathology
Autonomic Pathways - metabolism
Autonomic Pathways - physiopathology
Blotting, Western
Cardiology
Dogs
Electrophysiology
Heart Atria - innervation
Immunohistochemistry
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Nerve Regeneration - physiology
Neurons, Afferent - cytology
Neurons, Afferent - metabolism
Original Contribution
Sympathetic Nervous System - metabolism
Sympathetic Nervous System - physiopathology
Thoracic Vertebrae
Ventricular Remodeling - physiology
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Summary:High thoracic epidural anesthesia (HTEA) blocks the afferent and efferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers and may affect atrial electrophysiological characteristics and nerve sprouting in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). In this study, 18 dogs were randomly divided into a control group ( n  = 6), in which dogs were atrially paced at 400 beats/min for 6 weeks; an HTEA group ( n  = 6), in which dogs underwent atrial pacing and HTEA for 6 weeks; and a sham-operated group ( n  = 6), in which dogs underwent the operation but did not receive atrial pacing or HTEA. Electrophysiological examinations were performed in all groups. Cardiac nerves were immunocytochemically stained with anti-growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) and anti-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antibodies. The protein expressions of nerve growth factor (NGF), GAP43 and TH in atrial myocardium were also studied by western blot. In addition, the plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and norepinephrine, as well as atrial production of superoxide anion (O 2 ·− ) and malondialdehyde, were measured. In the HTEA group, atrial effective refractory period increased ( P  
ISSN:0300-8428
1435-1803
DOI:10.1007/s00395-011-0154-3