A working heart-brainstem preparation of the rat for the study of reflex mediated autonomic influences on atrial arrhythmia development

Jesse L Ashton, Julian F R Paton, Mark L Trew, Ian J Legrice, Bruce H Smaill

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Vagal nerve activity has been shown to play a role in the formation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF). Nerves on the atria are now increasingly being targeted using ablation-based therapies for the treatment of paroxysmal AF. In vivo, changes in vagal activity are part of an integrated autonomic profile that invariably involves accompanying modulations in sympathetic activity. To date, it has not been possible to replicate endogenous profiles of autonomic activity with the experimental set-ups used to study the effects of vagal stimulation on AF development. In this paper, we describe an experimental set-up using an in situ preparation that addresses these challenges for the first time. A high resolution surface electrode array has been used to make recordings of atrial electrograms during baroreflex activation from a preparation with intact innervation from brainstem to heart. This provides a novel framework for relating reflex-mediated autonomic activity to altered regional impulse propagation and electrical rhythm in the atria.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2013 35th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society (EMBC 2013)
Subtitle of host publicationProceedings of a meeting held 3-7 July 2013, Osaka, Japan
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages3785-3788
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781457702167
ISBN (Print)9781457702150
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2013

Publication series

Name
ISSN (Print)1094-687X
ISSN (Electronic)1558-4615

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