How to perform transvenous electrical cardioversion in horses with atrial fibrillation

Electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation is a well-established technique for restoration of sinus rhythm in humans. While transthoracic cardioversion is more commonly used, transvenous electrical cardioversion (TVEC) has been reported as having higher efficacy at substantially lower energy levels. In horses, treatment of atrial fibrillation has essentially been limited to the administration of quinidine salts either orally or intravenously. TVEC provides an alternative to quinidine salts, especially for those animals in which quinidine is neither effective nor tolerated. The present report details this technique in horses, discusses possible complications of the procedure, and provides guidance for successful outcome. Still and video images are used to illustrate details with regard to TVEC techniques in horses. Please view supplemental material for the videos.     

心房钠尿肽基因敲除小鼠的鉴定

研究心房钠尿肽基因敲除小鼠(ANP-/-小鼠)的生物学及病理学特性。ANP-/-小鼠与C57BL/6小鼠饲养于SPF级环境中,观察小鼠的繁育状况及其生物学特性,选取合适时间处死小鼠,通过HE染色观察脏器形态及组织结构。ANP-/-小鼠的繁殖周期比C57BL/6长,产仔率较低;ANP-/-小鼠肝脏、肺脏、脾脏较C57BL/6小鼠的有明显炎症反应,但是C57BL/6小鼠未见明显的病理改变。提示ANP基因的缺失可能与炎症发生有关。说明ANP-/-小鼠繁殖较慢、产仔率低,且正常繁殖的普通小鼠不会引起器官的病理学改变。但作为一种在心血管、代谢疾病上的动物模型,并与炎症甚至肿瘤有可能的未知联系的转基因动物,其很有研究和探索价值。     

p300/p53/Smad3 pathway involved in aging-related atrial fibrosis in human atrial fibroblasts

AIM To investigate the role of p300 in aging-related atrial fibrosis in human atrial fibroblasts （HAFs） and its potential mechanism. METHODS HAFs were obtained from human left atrial tissue, and the senescence model was established by cell passage. Senescence-associated β-galactosidase （SA-β-Gal） staining was used to detect the cell senescence, and Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of p300, p53, Smad3 and other senescence and fibrosis associated proteins in HAFs. RESULTS Compared to passage 3 HAFs, the proportion of senescent cells, and the protein levels of p300, p53, p-Smad3 and other senescence and fibrosis associated proteins were increased in HAFs at passage 7 and 11 （P<0.05）. After treated with curcumin （a p300 inhibitor） or transfection with p300 small-hairpin （sh） RNA plasmid, the protein levels of p300, and the senescence and fibrosis associated proteins were decreased in HAFs at passage 7（P<0.05）. Up-regulation of p300 by transfection with p300 over-expression plasmid increased the protein levels of p53, Smad3 and MMP-2 in HAFs at passage 3 （P<0.05）. CONCLUSION p300/p53/Smad3 signaling pathway plays an important role in aging-related atrial fibrosis in HAFs.     

Characteristics of ventricular electrophysiology in a right ventricular rapid pacing-induced canine heart failure model

AIM: To research the characteristics of ventricular electrophysiology in right ventricular rapid pacing-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) dogs.METHODS: Dogs (n=16) were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control (n=7) and the CHF group (n=9) induced by rapid right ventricular pacing at 240 pulse·min-1 for 4 to 5 weeks.The electrophysiologic parameters were evaluated by the technique of standard electric stimulation and monophasic action potential (MAP) recording.RESULTS: (1) Ventricular effective refractory period (VERP),ventricular MAP duration (MAPD90),ventricular late repolarization duration (VLRD) and intra-ventricular conduction time (IVCT) were prolonged by 26% (P<0.01),43% (P<0.01),318% (P<0.05),and 19% (P<0.01),respectively in CHF group.(2)The ratio of VERP to MAPD₉₀ (VERP/MAPD₉₀) was decreased by 13% (P<0.05) in CHF group.(3) The dispersion of ventricular recovery time (VRT-D) was increased by 185% (P<0.01) in CHF group.(4) The ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was decreased by 48% (P<0.01) in CHF group.CONCLUSION: The abnormal electrophysiological changes in the CHF condition may be contributing factors of lethal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths in CHF.     

Establishment of a Model of Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku Rats with Left Atrial Thrombosis

Studies that investigate the underlying mechanisms of disease and treatment options typically require the use of a suitable animal model. Few suitable animal models exist for left atrial thrombosis. Here, we demonstrated that the Spontaneously-Running-Tokushima-Shikoku (SPORTS) rat — a Wistar strain known for its running ability—is predisposed to the development of thrombi in the left atrium. We investigated the incidence of left atrial thrombosis in male (n = 16) and female (n = 17) SPORTS rats and observed organized atrial thrombosis in 57% and 38% of males and female rats, respectively. In the male rats, systolic blood pressures and heart rates were significantly higher in SPORTS rats than in control Wistar rats. We could not find any evidence of arrhythmias, such as atrial fibrillation, during electrocardiographic examination of SPORTS rats. We believe that the SPORTS rat could serve as a new research model for left atrial thrombosis; further, it may be suitable for research investigating the development of new antithrombotic approaches for the control of atrial thrombosis or familial thrombophilia in humans.