Fibroblast Electrical Remodeling in Heart Failure and Potential Effects on Atrial Fibrillation

Fibroblasts are activated in heart failure (HF) and produce fibrosis, which plays a role in maintaining atrial fibrillation (AF). The effect of HF on fibroblast ion currents and its potential role in AF are unknown. Here, we used a patch-clamp technique to investigate the effects of HF on atrial fibroblast ion currents, and mathematical computation to assess the potential impact of this remodeling on atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis. Atrial fibroblasts were isolated from control and tachypacing-induced HF dogs. Tetraethylammonium-sensitive voltage-gated fibroblast current (I_Kv,fb) was significantly downregulated (by ∼44%), whereas the Ba²⁺-sensitive inward rectifier current (I_Kir,fb) was upregulated by 79%, in HF animals versus controls. The fibroblast resting membrane potential was hyperpolarized (−53 ± 2 mV vs. −42 ± 2 mV in controls) and the capacitance was increased (29.7 ± 2.2 pF vs. 17.8 ± 1.4 pF in controls) in HF. These experimental findings were implemented in a mathematical model that included cardiomyocyte-fibroblast electrical coupling. I_Kir,fb upregulation had a profibrillatory effect through shortening of the action potential duration and hyperpolarization of the cardiomyocyte resting membrane potential. I_Kv,fb downregulation had the opposite electrophysiological effects and was antifibrillatory. Simulated pharmacological blockade of I_Kv,fb successfully terminated reentry under otherwise profibrillatory conditions. We conclude that HF induces fibroblast ion-current remodeling with I_Kv,fb downregulation and I_Kir,fb upregulation, and that, assuming cardiomyocyte-fibroblast electrical coupling, this remodeling has a potentially important effect on atrial electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis, with the overall response depending on the balance of pro- and antifibrillatory contributions. These findings suggest that fibroblast K⁺-current remodeling is a novel component of AF-related remodeling that might contribute to arrhythmia dynamics.     

Left Atrial Size and Function in a Canine Model of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Failure

Background

Our aim was to assess how atrial fibrillation (AF) induction, chronicity, and RR interval irregularity affect left atrial (LA) function and size in the setting of underlying heart failure (HF), and to determine whether AF effects can be mitigated by vagal nerve stimulation (VNS).

Methods

HF was induced by 4-weeks of rapid ventricular pacing in 24 dogs. Subsequently, AF was induced and maintained by atrial pacing at 600 bpm. Dogs were randomized into control (n = 9) and VNS (n = 15) groups. In the VNS group, atrioventricular node fat pad stimulation (310 μs, 20 Hz, 3–7 mA) was delivered continuously for 6 months. LA volume and LA strain data were calculated from bi-weekly echocardiograms.

Results

RR intervals decreased with HF in both groups (p = 0.001), and decreased further during AF in control group (p = 0.014), with a non-significant increase in the VNS group during AF. LA size increased with HF (p<0.0001), with no additional increase during AF. LA strain decreased with HF (p = 0.025) and further decreased after induction of AF (p = 0.0001). LA strain decreased less (p = 0.001) in the VNS than in the control group. Beat-by-beat analysis showed a curvilinear increase of LA strain with longer preceding RR interval, (r = 0.45, p <0.0001) with LA strain 1.1% higher (p = 0.02) in the VNS-treated animals, independent of preceding RR interval duration. The curvilinear relationship between ratio of preceding and pre-preceding RR intervals, and subsequent LA strain was weaker, (r = 0.28, p = 0.001). However, VNS-treated animals again had higher LA strain (by 2.2%, p = 0.002) independently of the ratio of preceding and pre-preceding RR intervals.

Conclusions

In the underlying presence of pacing-induced HF, AF decreased LA strain, with little impact on LA size. LA strain depends on the preceding RR interval duration.     

beta受体阻断药在心力衰竭合并房颤治疗中的再评价

β肾上腺素受体阻断药被认定为心力衰竭治疗领域的里程碑,在心力衰竭指南中,β肾上腺素受体阻断药为IA类推荐。但针对慢性心力衰竭的经典、大型RCT临床试验中,房颤患者所占比率不高。新近对于心力衰竭合并房颤患者应用β肾上腺素受体阻断剂的死亡率和住院率进行Meta-分析示:β肾上腺素受体拮抗剂未见有更多临床获益(即死亡率和住院率减低水平无统计学意义)。本文就心力衰竭定义、心力衰竭时交感神经系统激活、作用于交感神经系统的β肾上腺素受体阻断药药理作用及分类、β肾上腺素受体阻断药在心力衰竭并发房颤治疗中应用地位、心力衰竭并发房颤患者应用β肾上腺素受体阻断药存在的争议及其原因分析进行简要综述。     

慢性心力衰竭合并心房颤动发病的相关机制研究

目的:慢性心力衰竭(Chronic Heart Failure,CHF)是心血管系统常见的疾病,威胁患者的生存周期及生活质量。本研究针对慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的临床特征,进一步探讨其发病机制,为临床治疗提供依据。方法:将80例慢性心力衰竭患者平均分为两组,心律正常的为窦性心律组,伴有心房颤动的作为房颤组。观察并比较两组的左心室射血分数(LVEF)和二尖瓣口舒张期流速(E/A)等心脏功能指标。结果:房颤组左心室射血分数(LVEF)为(0.42±0.08);二尖瓣口舒张期流速(E/A)为(0.65±0.22);左心房内径(LAD)为(53.4±8.2)mm。窦律组左心室射血分数(LVEF)为(0.45±0.09);二尖瓣口舒张期流速(E/A)为(0.72±0.17);左心房内径(LAD)为(46.7±7.9)mm。房颤组患者的LVEF和E/A值均低于窦律组,而LAD则明显高于窦律组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。房颤组醛固酮、血管紧张素(AngII)、脑钠肽(BNP)及超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)均高于窦律组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的发病与患者体内神经内分泌体液系统水平和心脏结构功能有关,具体发病机制需进一步深入研究。     

慢性心力衰竭合并心房颤动发病的相关机制研究

目的：慢性心力衰竭（Chronic Heart Failure,CHF）是心血管系统常见的疾病,威胁患者的生存周期及生活质量。本研究针对慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的临床特征,进一步探讨其发病机制,为临床治疗提供依据。方法：将80例慢性心力衰竭患者平均分为两组,心律正常的为窦性心律组,伴有心房颤动的作为房颤组。观察并比较两组的左心室射血分数（LVEF）和二尖瓣1：7舒张期流速（E／A）等心脏功能指标。结果：房颤组左心室射血分数（LVEF）为（0．42±0．08）;二尖瓣口舒张期流速（E／A）为（0．65±0．22）;左心房内径（LAD）为（53．4±8．2）min。窦律组左心室射血分数（LVEF）为（0．45±0．09）;二尖瓣口舒张期流速（E／A）为（0．72±0．17）;左心房内径（LAD）为（46．7±7．9）min。房颤组患者的LVEF和E／A值均低于窦律组,而LAD则明显高于窦律组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。房颤组醛固酮、血管紧张素（AngII）、脑钠）]k（BNP）TZ超敏c反应蛋白（hs-CRP）均高于窦律组,差异具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论：慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的发病与患者体内神经内分泌体液系统水平和心脏结构功能有关,具体发病机制需进一步深入研究。     

丁基苯酞对心力衰竭大鼠心房颤动的影响及作用机制

为探讨丁基苯酞(DL-3-N-butylphthalide,NBP)对心肌梗死诱导的心力衰竭(heart failure,HF)大鼠心房结构重塑和心房颤动形成的影响,本研究将心力衰竭模型大鼠随机分为丁基苯酞组(NBP)、模型组(Model)和假手术组(Sham)。将丁基苯酞用大豆油溶解,制成10 mg/mL的丁基苯酞溶液。丁基苯酞组按照80 mg/kg体重对SD大鼠进行灌胃,模型组和假手术组用等量的大豆油灌胃。假手术组大鼠接受相同手术但未结扎左前降支冠状动脉。分别检测大鼠的超声心动图、心房颤动诱导性试验及心房纤维化,并检测TNF-α、TGF-β1、NF-κB、Nrf2和HO-1的蛋白表达。研究显示,应用丁基苯酞治疗4周后,NBP组大鼠心功能显著改善(p<0.05);NBP组大鼠心房颤动诱导能力和持续时间显著降低(p<0.05);NBP组大鼠心房纤维化程度显著减轻(p<0.05)。丁基苯酞显著抑制TNF-α,NF-κB和TGF-β1的蛋白表达,并上调Nrf2和HO-1的蛋白表达。并且,NBP对TNF-α/NF-κB/TGF-β1和纤维化的抑制作用可能与Nrf2/HO-1信号通路的激活有关。因此,丁基苯酞有望成为预防房颤的上游治疗中的有效药物。     

Atrial Fibrillation Complicated by Heart Failure Induces Distinct Remodeling of Calcium Cycling Proteins

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF) are two of the most common cardiovascular diseases. They often coexist and account for significant morbidity and mortality. Alterations in cellular Ca²⁺ homeostasis play a critical role in AF initiation and maintenance. This study was designed to specifically elucidate AF-associated remodeling of atrial Ca²⁺ cycling in the presence of mild HF. AF was induced in domestic pigs by atrial burst pacing. The animals underwent electrophysiologic and echocardiographic examinations. Ca²⁺ handling proteins were analyzed in right atrial tissue obtained from pigs with AF (day 7; n = 5) and compared to sinus rhythm (SR) controls (n = 5). During AF, animals exhibited reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (from 73% to 58%) and prolonged atrial refractory periods. AF and HF were associated with suppression of protein kinase A (PKA)_RII (-62%) and Ca²⁺-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) δ by 37%, without changes in CaMKIIδ autophosphorylation. We further detected downregulation of L-type calcium channel (LTCC) subunit α₂ (-75%), sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase (Serca) 2a (-29%), phosphorylated phospholamban (Ser16, -92%; Thr17, -70%), and phospho-ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) (Ser2808, -62%). Na⁺-Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) levels were upregulated (+473%), whereas expression of Ser2814-phosphorylated RyR2 and LTCCα_1c subunits was not significantly altered. In conclusion, AF produced distinct arrhythmogenic remodeling of Ca²⁺ handling in the presence of tachycardia-induced mild HF that is different from AF without structural alterations. The changes may provide a starting point for personalized approaches to AF treatment.     

心力衰竭合并房颤患者血浆脑钠肽水平及相关因素分析

目的:探讨心力衰竭合并房颤患者血浆脑钠肽水平变化及相关因素,为心血管疾病的临床诊断提供理论依据。方法:选取我院2011年1月-2013年1月收治的心力衰竭患者94例,分为窦性心律组和心房颤动组。分别抽取两组患者的血液样本并检测血浆中的BNP浓度,比较不同NYHA分级患者血浆内的脑钠肽水平的变化情况,记录左心房和左心室舒张末内径及房颤持续时间等。结果:心力衰竭合并心房颤动组与窦性心律组血浆BNP水平比较,心房颤动组高于窦性心律组;差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组NYHA不同分级相互比较,Ⅱ级、Ⅲ级和Ⅳ级间的BNP水平,心房颤动组BNP水平均高于窦性心律组;差异显著具有统计学意义(P0.05);血浆BNP水平与患者年龄、左心房大小、左心室大小、房颤持续时间因素呈正相关(r分别为0.0.801,0.748,0.854和0.703,P0.05),与左心室射血分数呈负相关(r=-0.41,P0.05)。结论:BNP血浆浓度与心功能状态密切相关,BNP浓度的检测有助于临床心血管疾病的诊断。     

老年心功能不全患者mink S38G多态性与房颤的相关性

探讨老年慢性心功能不全患者中,心肌细胞Iks通道β亚单位基因mink-S38G多态性与心房颤动（atrial fibrillation, AF）发生的相关性.收集慢性心功能不全患者共127例,其中房颤组63例,窦律组64例.采用聚合酶链反应限制性片段长度多态性（restriction fragment length polymorphism, PCR—RFLP）检测房颤组和窦律组的mink基因S38G多态性位点的基因型.房颤组与窦律组之间minkS38G的3种基因型频率为SS(9.52% vs 23.44%),SG(41.27% vs 50.00%),GG(49.21% vs 26.56%).在房颤组中,GG基因型的频率明显高于窦律组,两组间基因型存在明显差异, P=0.013;多因素Logistic回归提示,minkS38G多态性与房颤的发生有明显相关（P=0.010）.因此,在老年慢性心功能不全患者中,mink基因S38G多态性与房颤的发生有关,具有GG基因型的患者其发生房颤的风险较高     

心房颤动的流行病学研究现状及进展

心房颤动(atrial fibrillation,AF)简称房颤,是最常见的心律失常之一。为了能更好的预防房颤及其并发症,国外对该病的流行病学做了较多的研究,认为房颤的患病率和发病率均随着年龄的增长不断升高,尤其是80岁以上的老年人;男性的房颤患病率一般高于女性。房颤的危险因素不局限于既往较为公认的年龄、高血压、糖尿病、肥胖等,许多新的危险因素也陆续被发现,如高尿酸血症、阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停、剧烈运动、气候等。我国在房颤方面的研究起步较晚,目前多局限于横断面的研究,无大规模纵断面的临床研究,和国外相比有一定的差距。房颤可导致机体发生脑卒中、心力衰竭、认知功能障碍甚至死亡。本文主要对心房颤动的流行病学研究现状及进展、发生的危险因素以及对机体的不利影响进行综述。     

上胸段硬膜外阻滞治疗慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的临床研究

目的:比较上胸段硬膜外阻滞对有无合并房颤的扩张型心肌病心衰患者的疗效差异。方法:入选40例扩张型心肌病心衰患者,根据入院心电图有无房颤分为房颤组和非房颤组。所有患者均在抗心力衰竭常规治疗基础上,给予胸段硬膜外阻滞治疗4周,比较治疗前、后NYHA心功能分级、血浆N末端脑钠肽前体(NT-pro BNP)水平、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左室舒张期内径(LVEDD)及左房前后径(LAD)的变化情况。结果:与治疗前比较,两组患者经治疗后的NYHA心功能分级、NT-pro BNP、LVEF、LVEDD及LAD均明显改善(均P0.05),差异有统计学意义,但两组间各指标治疗前后的差值无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:对于慢性心力衰竭合并房颤的患者而言,给予抗心力衰竭常规治疗基础上联合上胸段硬膜外阻滞治疗有效,且房颤的存在与否不影响上胸段硬膜外阻滞的疗效。     

Serum Zinc and Copper Levels in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Changes in the copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations have been reported previously in ischemic cardiomyopathy (ISCMP). Due to controversial results, the aims of this study were to compare levels of Cu, Zn, and Zn/Cu ratio of ISCMP patients with healthy volunteers and also to investigate the possible relationship between trace elements status in ISCMP patients with the severity of clinical disease based on the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification. The subjects of this study consisted of 30 ISCMP and 27 healthy volunteers. ISCMP was diagnosed with a history of previous myocardial infarction and also coronary artery disease was confirmed by coronary angiography. Exclusion criteria were renal or hepatic insufficiency, alcohol usage, and intake of supplements containing Cu or Zn within 1 week. Cu and Zn levels have been assayed with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 10 software using independent sample t test for comparing the levels of Cu and Zn between ISCMP and normal subjects. The mean Cu level of the ISCMP group (1.54 ± 0.52 mg/L) was significantly more than the Cu levels of the healthy volunteers (1.31 ± 0.24 mg/L; p = 0.048). The mean Zn levels of the ISCMP and healthy volunteers were 1.05 ± 0.28 and 1.12 ± 0.42, respectively, without any significant difference between groups. There was a trend for higher Cu level, lower Zn level, and lower Zn/Cu ratio in NYHA III patients in comparison with NYHA II group. Considering the results of this study, Cu may have a role in the development of ISCMP. Interventions such as administration of Cu chelators to relieve the symptoms or to decrease the progression of ISCMP is needed to be examined in large clinical trials. In this study, the Zn level of ISCMP patients was not significantly different in comparison with the healthy volunteers.     

Assessment of the Zinc and Copper Status in Alpaca

This study was performed with the aim of investigating the concentration of zinc and copper in the blood of healthy alpacas (Vicugna pacos) kept in central Europe and to compare the concentration of Zn and Cu in plasma and in whole blood. A further objective was to evaluate blood Zn and Cu in relation to different micromineral supplementation, age and sex groups of alpacas. A total of 299 alpacas (224 adults and 75 crias) from 18 farms were included in this study. The concentrations of copper and zinc in plasma/whole blood were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results of this study show high individual variability in plasma Zn (median 3.54, range 1.56–8.01 μmol/l), whole blood Zn (median 10.01, range 6.23–75.0 μmol/l), plasma Cu (median 7.53, range 2.93–16.41 μmol/l) and whole blood Cu (median 6.33, range 3.02–13.95 μmol/l). Plasma Zn was not significantly influenced by sex, age or feeding group. Whole blood Zn was only significantly higher in females than in males. The intake of Zn in all groups was equal to or higher than the nutritional recommendation. During excessive supplementation, Zn absorption decreased and thus blood Zn did not reflect the higher intake. Only a weak correlation was found (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.384; p > 0.01; n = 204) between plasma and whole blood Zn concentrations. Plasma copper concentration was significantly influenced by age, sex and feeding; whole blood Cu by age and feeding. However, neither plasma Cu nor whole blood Cu reflected the intake of the element. We found a close correlation between plasma and blood copper concentrations (Spearman correlation coefficient r = 0.9043; p ≤ 0.01; n = 99). According to our results, copper in plasma or blood is not a good indicator of copper intake.     

胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦对慢性心功能不全合并阵发性房颤的临床效果观察

目的:评价胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦治疗慢性心功能不全合并阵发性房颤的临床疗效及安全性.方法:选择我院收治的慢性心衰合并阵发性房颤患者167例,均使用胺碘酮维持窦性心律,根据患者是否加用厄贝沙坦分为治疗组及对照组.治疗一年后,观察和比较两组患者的心衰住院率、左室射血分数、左房内径、心功能分级情况,通过动态心电图评估窦性心律维持率、房颤复发率.结果:治疗后,治疗组房颤的复发率、慢性房颤的发生率均明显低于对照组,窦性心律维持率明显高于对照组,左房内径较对照组明显减小,心衰住院率明显低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05);对照组左房内径较治疗前明显扩大(P＜0.05),两组患者在心功能分级方面较治疗前均有明显改善(P＜0.05),但两组之间心功能分级比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05).两组不良反应(甲状腺功能异常、肝功能异常、肺纤维化、低血压)的发生率比较无统计学差异(P＞0.05).结论:胺碘酮联合厄贝沙坦治疗慢性心功能不全伴阵发性房颤的患者,能较好的维持窦性心律,降低心衰住院率,对心脏重构有较好的改善作用,且具有良好的安全性.     

Impact of Body Mass Index on Plasma N-Terminal ProB-Type Natriuretic Peptides in Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Patients without Heart Failure

Background

An inverse relationship between body mass index (BMI) and circulating levels of N-terminal proB-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) has been demonstrated in subjects with and without heart failure. Obesity also has been linked with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF), but its influence on NT-proBNP concentrations in AF patients remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of BMI on NT-proBNP levels in AF patients without heart failure.

Methods

A total of 239 consecutive patients with AF undergoing catheter ablation were evaluated. Levels of NT-proBNP and clinical characteristics were compared in overweight or obese (BMI≥25 kg/m²) and normal weight (BMI<25 kg/m²) patients.

Results

Of 239 patients, 129 (54%) were overweight or obese. Overweight or obese patients were younger, more likely to have a history of nonparoxysmal AF, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Levels of NT-proBNP were significantly lower in overweight or obese than in normal weight subjects (P<0.05). The relationship of obesity and decreased NT-proBNP levels persisted in subgroup of hypertension, both gender and both age levels (≥65 yrs and <65 yrs).Multivariate linear regression identified BMI as an independent negative correlate of LogNT-proBNP level.

Conclusions

An inverse relationship between BMI and plasma NT-proBNP concentrations have been demonstrated in AF patients without heart failure. Overweight or obese patients with AF appear to have lower NT-proBNP levels than normal weight patients.     

虚拟生理心脏模型及房颤机制研究进展

房颤是临床上最常见的持续性心律失常.揭示房颤的发病机制和病理生理过程是其诊断、预防、治疗、药物研发及临床设备设计的关键,而实验和临床只能呈现细胞或亚细胞的局部特性及房颤病症的宏观结果.随着生物信息技术、统计分析技术等的发展,运用多物理尺度的虚拟生理心脏模型,来实现宏观结果与微观机制相统一的研究方法备受关注.本文综述了离子通道、心肌细胞、心脏组织及器官等多尺度的虚拟生理心脏模型研究进展,探讨了近年来基于虚拟生理心脏模型的房颤机制研究以及房颤的治疗手段,提示了房颤研究的挑战和未来的发展方向.     

Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Patients with Endometrial Cancer

Biological Trace Element Research - The aim of the present study was to evaluate serum concentrations of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn), in relation with metabolic profile and clinicopathologic features...