Effects of sterile pericarditis on connexins 40 and 43 in the atria: correlation with abnormal conduction and atrial arrhythmias

2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (2) ◽  
pp. H1231-H1241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyungmoo Ryu ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Celeen M. Khrestian ◽  
Naomichi Matsumoto ◽  
Jayakumar Sahadevan ◽  
...  

The canine sterile pericarditis model is characterized by impaired conduction and atrial arrhythmia vulnerability. Electrical and structural remodeling processes caused by the inflammatory response likely promote these abnormalities. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that altered distribution of atrial connexins is associated with markedly abnormal atrial conduction, thereby contributing to vulnerability to atrial flutter (AFL) and atrial fibrillation (AF) induction and maintenance. During rapid pacing and induced, sustained AFL or AF in five sterile pericarditis (SP) and five normal (NL) dogs, epicardial atrial electrograms were recorded simultaneously from both atria (380 electrodes) or from the right atrium (RA) and Bachmann's bundle (212 electrodes). Tissues from RA sites were subjected to immunostaining and immunoblotting to assess connexin (Cx) 40 and Cx43 distribution and expression. Transmural myocyte (α-actinin) and fibroblast (vimentin) volume were also assessed by immunostaining. RA pacing maps showed markedly abnormal conduction in SP, with uniform conduction in NL. Total RA activation time was significantly prolonged in SP vs. NL at 300-ms and 200-ms pacing-cycle lengths. Sustained arrhythmias were only inducible in SP [total: 4/5 (AFL: 3/5; AF: 1/5)]. In NL, Cx40, Cx43, α-actinin, and vimentin were homogeneously distributed transmurally. In SP, Cx40, Cx43, and α-actinin were absent epicardially, decreased midmyocardially, and normal endocardially. SP increased epicardial vimentin expression, suggesting fibroblast proliferation. Immunoblot analysis confirmed reduced expression of Cx40 and Cx43 in SP. The transmural gradient in the volume fraction of Cx40 and Cx43 in SP is associated with markedly abnormal atrial conduction and is likely an important factor in the vulnerability to induction and maintenance of AFL/AF in SP.

EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Obergassel ◽  
Molly O’Reilly ◽  
Laura C Sommerfeld ◽  
S Nashitha Kabir ◽  
Christopher O’Shea ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Genetically altered mice are powerful models to investigate mechanisms of atrial arrhythmias, but normal ranges for murine atrial electrophysiology have not been robustly characterized. Methods and results We analyzed results from 221 electrophysiological (EP) studies in isolated, Langendorff-perfused hearts of wildtype mice (114 female, 107 male) from 2.5 to 17.7 months (mean 7 months) with different genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6, FVB/N, MF1, 129/Sv, Swiss agouti). Left atrial monophasic action potential duration (LA-APD), interatrial activation time (IA-AT), and atrial effective refractory period (ERP) were summarized at different pacing cycle lengths (PCLs). Factors influencing atrial electrophysiology including genetic background, sex, and age were determined. LA-APD70 was 18 ± 0.5 ms, atrial ERP was 27 ± 0.8 ms, and IA-AT was 17 ± 0.5 ms at 100 ms PCL. LA-APD was longer with longer PCL (+17% from 80 to 120 ms PCL for APD70), while IA-AT decreased (−7% from 80 to 120 ms PCL). Female sex was associated with longer ERP (+14% vs. males). Genetic background influenced atrial electrophysiology: LA-APD70 (−20% vs. average) and atrial ERP (−25% vs. average) were shorter in Swiss agouti background compared to others. LA-APD70 (+25% vs. average) and IA-AT (+44% vs. average) were longer in 129/Sv mice. Atrial ERP was longer in FVB/N (+34% vs. average) and in younger experimental groups below 6 months of age. Conclusion This work defines normal ranges for murine atrial EP parameters. Genetic background has a profound effect on these parameters, at least of the magnitude as those of sex and age. These results can inform the experimental design and interpretation of murine atrial electrophysiology.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Sung ◽  
Adityo Prakosa ◽  
Natalia Trayanova

Introduction: Post-infarct ventricular tachycardias (VT) arise due to structural remodeling (scarring). Physiological repolarization gradients (apicobasal and transmural) exist in the human heart, but the effects on post-infarct VT dynamics are unknown. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that incorporation of repolarization gradients in personalized digital hearts of post-infarct patients impacts VT exit sites without altering the location of the VTs. Methods: 3D late-gadolinium enhanced CMR images were acquired from 7 post-infarct patients. Personalized image-based computational heart models (digital hearts) representing scar and infarct border zone distributions were constructed. Apicobasal (AB) and transmural (TM) repolarization gradients were incorporated using a validated method (Fig A). VTs were induced at baseline (no repolarization gradient) via rapid pacing in the right ventricular apex, using two pacing cycle lengths, mimicking non-invasive programmed stimulation. Pacing protocols that induced baseline VTs were repeated under AB and TM conditions. Results: Ten VTs were induced in baseline digital hearts. 8 AB VTs and 8 TM VTs were induced; the remaining 2 VTs for both AB and TM digital hearts could not be induced. 5/8 induced AB VTs had VT exit sites matching baseline VT exit sites; the remaining 3/8 AB VTs had reversed VT exit and entrance sites from the corresponding baseline VTs (Fig B, VT 1 & 2). 4/8 induced TM VTs had exit sites that matched those at baseline; the remaining TM VTs had exit and entrance sites reversed from those of baseline VTs (Fig B, VT 1, 2 & 3). All 8 AB VTs and 8 TM VTs had the same location as corresponding baseline VTs. Conclusion: AB and TM repolarization gradients can act to reverse VT entrance and exit sites without changing VT location. Thus, incorporation of physiological repolarization gradients into personalized digital hearts may not impact VT ablation targeting but may affect accurate prediction of VT exit or entrance sites.


2012 ◽  
Vol 303 (12) ◽  
pp. H1426-H1434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qing Lou ◽  
Deborah L. Janks ◽  
Katherine M. Holzem ◽  
Di Lang ◽  
Birce Onal ◽  
...  

Increased dispersion of repolarization has been suggested to underlie increased arrhythmogenesis in human heart failure (HF). However, no detailed repolarization mapping data were available to support the presence of increased dispersion of repolarization in failing human heart. In the present study, we aimed to determine the existence of enhanced repolarization dispersion in the right ventricular (RV) endocardium from failing human heart and examine its association with arrhythmia inducibility. RV free wall preparations were dissected from five failing and five nonfailing human hearts, cannulated and coronary perfused. RV endocardium was optically mapped from an ∼6.3 × 6.3 cm2 field of view. Action potential duration (APD), dispersion of APD, and conduction velocity (CV) were quantified for basic cycle lengths (BCL) ranging from 2,000 ms to the functional refractory period. We found that RV APD was significantly prolonged within the failing group compared with the nonfailing group (560 ± 44 vs. 448 ± 39 ms, at BCL = 2,000 ms, P < 0.05). Dispersion of APD was increased in three failing hearts (161 ± 5 vs. 86 ± 19 ms, at BCL = 2,000 ms). APD alternans were induced by rapid pacing in these same three failing hearts. CV was significantly reduced in the failing group compared with the nonfailing group (81 ± 11 vs. 98 ± 8 cm/s, at BCL = 2,000 ms). Arrhythmias could be induced in two failing hearts exhibiting an abnormally steep CV restitution and increased dispersion of repolarization due to APD alternans. Dispersion of repolarization is enhanced across the RV endocardium in the failing human heart. This dispersion, together with APD alternans and abnormal CV restitution, could be responsible for the arrhythmia susceptibility in human HF.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel Alblawi ◽  
Saba Keyani ◽  
S. Nadeem ◽  
Alibek Issakhov ◽  
Ibrahim M. Alarifi

Objective: In this paper, we consider a model that describes the ciliary beating in the form of metachronal waves along with the effects of Magnetohydrodynamic fluid over a curved channel with slip effects. This work aims at evaluating the effect of Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) on the steady two dimensional (2-D) mixed convection flow induced in carbon nanotubes. The work is done for both the single wall nanotube and multiple wall nanotube. The right wall and the left wall possess a metachronal wave that is travelling along the outer boundary of the channel. Methods: The wavelength is considered as very large for cilia induced MHD flow. The governing linear coupled equations are simplified by considering the approximations of long wavelength and small Reynolds number. Exact solutions are obtained for temperature and velocity profile. The analytical expressions for the pressure gradient and wall shear stresses are obtained. Term for pressure rise is obtained by applying Numerical integration method. Results: Numerical results of velocity profile are mentioned in a table form, for various values of solid volume fraction, curvature, Hartmann number [M] and Casson fluid parameter [ζ]. Final section of this paper is devoted to discussing the graphical results of temperature, pressure gradient, pressure rise, shear stresses and stream functions. Conclusion: Velocity profile near the right wall of the channel decreases when we add nanoparticles into our base fluid, whereas an opposite behaviour is depicted near the left wall due to ciliated tips whereas the temperature is an increasing function of B and ߛ and decreasing function of ߶.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 822
Author(s):  
Luuk I.B. Heckman ◽  
Justin G.L.M. Luermans ◽  
Karol Curila ◽  
Antonius M.W. Van Stipdonk ◽  
Sjoerd Westra ◽  
...  

Background: Left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has recently been introduced as a novel physiological pacing strategy. Within LBBAP, distinction is made between left bundle branch pacing (LBBP) and left ventricular septal pacing (LVSP, no left bundle capture). Objective: To investigate acute electrophysiological effects of LBBP and LVSP as compared to intrinsic ventricular conduction. Methods: Fifty patients with normal cardiac function and pacemaker indication for bradycardia underwent LBBAP. Electrocardiography (ECG) characteristics were evaluated during pacing at various depths within the septum: starting at the right ventricular (RV) side of the septum: the last position with QS morphology, the first position with r’ morphology, LVSP and—in patients where left bundle branch (LBB) capture was achieved—LBBP. From the ECG’s QRS duration and QRS morphology in lead V1, the stimulus- left ventricular activation time left ventricular activation time (LVAT) interval were measured. After conversion of the ECG into vectorcardiogram (VCG) (Kors conversion matrix), QRS area and QRS vector in transverse plane (Azimuth) were determined. Results: QRS area significantly decreased from 82 ± 29 µVs during RV septal pacing (RVSP) to 46 ± 12 µVs during LVSP. In the subgroup where LBB capture was achieved (n = 31), QRS area significantly decreased from 46 ± 17 µVs during LVSP to 38 ± 15 µVs during LBBP, while LVAT was not significantly different between LVSP and LBBP. In patients with normal ventricular activation and narrow QRS, QRS area during LBBP was not significantly different from that during intrinsic activation (37 ± 16 vs. 35 ± 19 µVs, respectively). The Azimuth significantly changed from RVSP (−46 ± 33°) to LVSP (19 ± 16°) and LBBP (−22 ± 14°). The Azimuth during both LVSP and LBBP were not significantly different from normal ventricular activation. QRS area and LVAT correlated moderately (Spearman’s R = 0.58). Conclusions: ECG and VCG indices demonstrate that both LVSP and LBBP improve ventricular dyssynchrony considerably as compared to RVSP, to values close to normal ventricular activation. LBBP seems to result in a small, but significant, improvement in ventricular synchrony as compared to LVSP.


Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 1295
Author(s):  
Anghong Yu ◽  
Chuanzhen Wang ◽  
Haizeng Liu ◽  
Md. Shakhaoath Khan

Three products hydrocyclone screen (TPHS) can be considered as the combination of a conventional hydrocyclone and a cylindrical screen. In this device, particles are separated based on size under the centrifugal classification coupling screening effect. The objective of this work is to explore the characteristics of fluid flow in TPHS using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The 2 million grid scheme, volume fraction model, and linear pressure–strain Reynolds stress model were utilized to generate the economical grid-independence solution. The pressure profile reveals that the distribution of static pressure was axisymmetric, and its value was reduced with the increasing axial depth. The maximum and minimum were located near the tangential inflection point of the feed inlet and the outlets, respectively. However, local asymmetry was created by the left tangential inlet and the right screen underflow outlet. Furthermore, at the same axial height, the static pressure gradually decreased along the wall to the center. Near the cylindrical screen, the pressure difference between the inside and the outside cylindrical screen dropped from positive to negative as the axial depth increased from −35 to −185 mm. Besides, TPHS shows similar distributions of turbulence intensity I, turbulence kinetic energy k, and turbulence dissipation rate ε; i.e., the values fell with the decrease in axial height. Meanwhile, from high to low, the pressure values are distributed in the feed chamber, the cylindrical screen, and conical vessel; the value inside the screen was higher than the outer value.


Author(s):  
Anson M. Lee ◽  
Jacob R. Miller ◽  
Rochus K. Voeller ◽  
Andreas Zierer ◽  
Shelly C. Lall ◽  
...  

The surgical management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is an evolving field with a history of testing various lesion sets and ablation technologies. Previous animal models of AF require a chronic intervention to make AF reliably inducible. Our objective was to create an acute, reliable, and reproducible porcine model of sustained AF. To accomplish this, 21 adult domestic pigs underwent median sternotomy. Methods to induce AF were then performed sequentially: manual stimulation, rapid pacing (200 beats per minute), and then rapid pacing of 8 beats with a cycle length of 300 milliseconds, followed by an extra stimulus at decreasing cycle lengths. If AF was not induced, burst pacing was performed at a cycle length of 90 milliseconds for 30 seconds. If AF was still not induced, intravenous neostigmine was administered, and the process was repeated. Atrial fibrillation was considered sustained after 1 minute. Attempts at AF induction were successful in 18 (86%) of 21. Atrial fibrillation was induced during manual stimulation in four (19%), during rapid pacing in five (24%), during burst pacing in five (24%), and after the administration of neostigmine in four (19%). Mean (SD) duration of AF was 3.6 (2.6) minutes. Of the 18, 14 (78%) reverted to sinus rhythm spontaneously and 4 (22%) required an antiarrhythmic. This technique of inducing AF can easily be used to evaluate new technologies and lesion sets without the need for creating a chronic animal model.


Mixed convection in a lid-driven composite square cavity is studied numerically. The cavity is composed of two layers; a Cu–water nanofluid layer superposed a porous layer. The porous layer is saturated with the same nanofluid. The left and right walls of the cavity are thermally insulated. The bottom wall which is in contact with the porous layer is isothermally heated and being lid to the left, while the top wall is isothermally cooled and being lid to the right. Cavity walls are impermeable except the interface between the porous layer and the nanofluid. Maxwell-Brinkman model is invoked for the momentum exchange within the porous layer. Equations govern the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy within the two layers were modeled and solved numerically using under successive relaxation (USR) up- wind finite difference scheme. Four pertinent parameters are studied; nanoparticles volume fraction φ (0.0 - 0.05), porous layer thickness Wp (0.1 - 0.9), Darcy number Da (10-7 – 10-1), and Richardson number Ri (0.01 - 10). The results have showed that the existence of the porous layer in a specified value can enhance the convective heat transfer when Ri ≥ 1, while an adverse action of nanoparticles is recorded when Da ≥ 10-4.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (4) ◽  
pp. H1491-H1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hwang ◽  
W. Fan ◽  
P. S. Chen

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that protective zones appear recurrently at the initiation of ventricular fibrillation (VF) and that when shocks are delivered during protective zones, there can be a decrease in the defibrillation energy requirement. A total of 12 open-chest dogs were studied. Six dogs were included in protocol 1. After eight baseline pacing stimuli (S1) with cycle lengths of 300 ms, a strong premature stimulus (S2) (73 +/- 10 mA) was given to induce VF. In subsequent episodes, a second strong premature stimulus (S3) was given at progressively longer S2-S3 intervals in 20-ms increments. In protocol 2, we delivered unsuccessful defibrillation shocks via a transvenous defibrillation electrode placed in the right ventricular apex of six dogs. A second shock was then delivered to patch electrodes on the right ventricular outflow tract and the posterior wall of the left ventricle. The results of protocol 1 showed that the S3 terminated reentry and prevented VF only when it occurred at specific time intervals after the S2 (the protective zones). These protective zones appear recurrently up to 375 ms after the onset of VF. The results of protocol 2 showed that the total energy required for successful defibrillation was dependent on the interval between the first and second shocks. Intervals favoring effective defibrillation (protective zones) appeared recurrently for up to 280 ms after the first shock. When the second shock was delivered during a protective zone, the defibrillation energy requirement was decreased by up to 23% (from 13.1 +/- 2.0 to 10.1 +/- 1.8 J, P < 0.003). However, when the shock was delivered outside the protective zone, a significant increase in the defibrillation energy requirement was observed. We conclude that protective zones appear recurrently at the onset of VF and after unsuccessful defibrillation shocks.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taher Armaghani ◽  
Muneer Ismael ◽  
Ali Chamkha ◽  
Ioan Pop

This paper investigates the mixed convection and entropy generation of an Ag-water nanofluid in an L-shaped channel fixed at an inclination angle of 30° to the horizontal axis. An isothermal heat source was positioned in the middle of the right inclined wall of the channel while the other walls were kept adiabatic. The finite volume method was used for solving the problem’s governing equations. The numerical results were obtained for a range of pertinent parameters: Reynolds number, Richardson number, aspect ratio, and the nanoparticles volume fraction. These results were Re = 50–200; Ri = 0.1, 1, 10; AR = 0.5–0.8; and φ = 0.0–0.06, respectively. The results showed that both the Reynolds and the Richardson numbers enhanced the mean Nusselt number and minimized the rate of entropy generation. It was also found that when AR. increased, the mean Nusselt number was enhanced, and the rate of entropy generation decreased. The nanoparticles volume fraction was predicted to contribute to increasing both the mean Nusselt number and the rate of entropy generation.


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