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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Atrial and ventricular electrical and contractile remodeling...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2008; 22(6); 1353-1359; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0202.x

Atrial and ventricular electrical and contractile remodeling and reverse remodeling owing to short-term pacing-induced atrial fibrillation in horses.

Abstract: In humans, atrial fibrillation (AF) induces electrical, contractile, and structural remodeling leading to AF stabilization. Little is known about AF-induced atrial remodeling in horses. Objective: Induced AF produces rapid atrial electrical and contractile remodeling in horses. Methods: Six horses, 5 animals completed the study. Methods: Each horse was instrumented with a pulse generator and pacemaker to maintain AF by burst pacing and to study atrial and ventricular electrophysiology (AF cycle length [AFCL], AF duration, and atrial/ventricular effective refractory period [AERP/VERP] at different pacing cycle lengths [PCL]). Left atrial and ventricular contractile remodeling were assessed echocardiographically by calculation of fractional changes in atrial and ventricular dimensions, respectively, during the cardiac cycle. Measurements were performed at baseline, a 7-day AF period and a 2-day recovery period. Results: Atrial electrical and contractile remodeling could be demonstrated after 4 and 12 hours of AF, respectively. A progressive shortening of the AERP (261 +/- 39-171 +/- 18 ms at a PCL of 1,000 ms, P < .0001), an attenuation of the AERP rate adaptation, a decrease in AFCL (239 +/- 39-194 +/- 7 ms, P < .0001), and a decrease in atrial FS (12 +/- 3% to 0 +/- 2%, P < .05) occurred. AF duration increased progressively and became persistent in 2 animals. VERP did not change significantly. Upon restoration of sinus rhythm, values returned to baseline within 48 hours. Conclusions: Atrial electrical and contractile remodeling appears rapidly. After 7 days of AF, reverse remodeling occurred within 2 days. These observations suggest that early conversion of AF might be beneficial for success rate and early return to training.
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Publication Date: 2008-11-13 PubMed ID: 19000247DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0202.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the impact of induced Atrial Fibrillation (AF) on the electrical and contractile remodeling in horses, and the effect of reversing that process. The study reveals that AF-induced changes occur rapidly and can be reversed within a relatively short timeframe.

Objective and Methodology

  • The study aimed to observe the impacts of induced AF on atrial electrical and contractile states in horses.
  • Six horses were involved in the study, with one not completing, leaving 5 subjects for the final analysis.
  • The horses were fitted with a pulse generator and pacemaker, which maintained the AF by burst pacing. This allowed for detailed study of atrial and ventricular electrophysiology, such as AF cycle length, AF duration, and atrial and ventricular effective refractory periods at different pacing cycle lengths.
  • To measure the contractile remodeling occurring in the left atrial and ventricular portions, echocardiographic calculations for fractional changes in atrial and ventricular dimensions during the cardiac cycle were performed.
  • Measurements were collected at three distinct stages: a baseline measure, after a 7-day period of AF, and after a 2-day recovery period.

Results

  • The research found that atrial electrical and contractile remodeling occurred rapidly; the former after just 4 hours of AF, and the latter after 12 hours.
  • The study recorded a progressive shortening of the atrial effective refractory period, an attenuation of the rate adaptation of the refractory period, and a decrease in both the AF cycle length and the atrial fractional shortening.
  • A significant increase in the duration of AF was observed, with AF becoming persistent in two of the animals.
  • On the other hand, the ventricular effective refractory period showed no significant change.
  • Once sinus rhythm was restored, all values returned to their baseline measures within 48 hours indicating reverse remodeling.

Conclusions

  • The study concluded that atrial electrical and contractile remodeling happens rapidly following the induction of AF in horses.
  • The research also demonstrated that after 7 days of AF, reverse remodeling could occur within 2 days.
  • The observations made suggest that early conversion of AF may be beneficial for early return to training and potentially improving success rates.

Cite This Article

APA
De Clercq D, van Loon G, Tavernier R, Duchateau L, Deprez P. (2008). Atrial and ventricular electrical and contractile remodeling and reverse remodeling owing to short-term pacing-induced atrial fibrillation in horses. J Vet Intern Med, 22(6), 1353-1359. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0202.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 6
Pages: 1353-1359

Researcher Affiliations

De Clercq, D
  • Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium. Dominique.DeClercq@Ugent.be
van Loon, G
    Tavernier, R
      Duchateau, L
        Deprez, Piet

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Atrial Fibrillation / pathology
          • Atrial Fibrillation / veterinary
          • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / adverse effects
          • Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases
          • Horses
          • Myocardial Contraction / physiology
          • Time Factors
          • Ventricular Remodeling / physiology

          Citations

          This article has been cited 24 times.
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