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。     

犬腋下小切口制作慢性心房颤动模型

目的探讨应用腋下小切口开胸术建立犬慢性心房颤动模型的可行性。方法取健康比格犬14只,随机分为实验组(7只)与对照组(7只)。应用左侧腋下小切口微创技术开胸植入起搏器,实验组犬以400次/分连续起搏8周诱导心房颤动,对照组不起搏。术后观察犬的一般情况,定期监测心电图,记录犬的肢体导联心电图变化,观察心房颤动的发生情况。结果14只犬均顺利完成实验。应用左侧腋下小切口微创技术开胸,手术时间缩短,术后并发症减少。实验组7只犬经连续起搏8周,均出现典型的心房颤动心电图改变。结论应用腋下小切口微创技术开胸制作犬慢性房颤模型是安全可行的,犬术后无手术死亡及严重并发症,恢复快。说明与常规切口开胸手术相比创伤明显减小,值得在犬慢性房颤模型建立中推广应用。     

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.     

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     

A Canine Model of Sustained Atrial Fibrillation Induced by Rapid Atrial Pacing and Phenylephrine

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia with considerable morbidity and mortality. Limitations in studying both the mechanisms and therapy of atrial fibrillation arise due to the paucity of models that yield sufficiently high-quality data, are not costly, and in which atrial fibrillation is sustained long enough to make the necessary observations. The canine model we present is based on the hypothesis that atrial fibrillation requires heterogeneity of repolarization, that distribution of vagal fibers is heterogeneous in the atria, and that atrial fibrillation will persist after reflex stimulation of vagal efferents by increased systemic arterial pressure. Dogs were anesthetized with morphine–chloralose because this combination maintains nearly intact autonomic control. Systemic arterial pressure was elevated approximately 75 mm Hg during infusion of phenylephrine (2 μg/kg · min⁻¹). The right atrium was paced for 20 min at 40 Hz. Atrial fibrillation was sustained after cessation of atrial pacing in dogs receiving phenylephrine, but terminated within seconds in normotensive animals. In conclusion, atrial fibrillation can be maintained for at least 40 min after cessation of rapid atrial pacing in dogs with phenylephrine-induced hypertension.Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that affects more than 2 million persons in the United States.¹ This condition is characterized by chaotic asynchronous activation and contraction of hundreds of regions of the atria, resulting in both absence of active atrial transport of blood and a rapid ventricular response. With chronic atrial fibrillation, patients can develop thromboembolism and stroke;²² and 15% of strokes in the United States occur in patients with atrial fibrillation.¹ Despite prodigious efforts to understand the mechanism of this condition and to prevent and remediate it, atrial fibrillation leads to enormous morbidity and mortality.³ One factor hindering studies of atrial fibrillation is the absence of a model in which fibrillation can be sustained for more than several seconds, although the arrhythmia can be sustained nearly permanently after weeks of rapid atrial pacing in animals with either heart failure or physical injury to the left atrium.⁸Rapid atrial pacing decreases the atrial effective refractory period, slows atrial conduction, and increases electrophysiologic heterogeneity.^10,11,20 Recently, phenylephrine was shown to increase the difference between left and right atrial and intraatrial refractory periods, thus creating heterogeneity of atrial refractoriness.¹⁶ We therefore postulated that rapid atrial pacing together with phenylephrine infusion would induce relatively sustained atrial fibrillation for at least 40 min in dogs—a duration likely to be sufficient for testing of agents with potential to convert atrial fibrillation. This report describes a simple canine model using rapid atrial pacing in which atrial fibrillation was sustained for at least 40 min.     

Left Atrial Structure and Function in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A RELAX Substudy

Given the emerging recognition of left atrial structure and function as an important marker of disease in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HF-pEF), we investigated the association between left atrial volume and function with markers of disease severity and cardiac structure in HF-pEF. We studied 100 patients enrolled in the PhosphdiesteRasE-5 Inhibition to Improve CLinical Status and EXercise Capacity in Diastolic Heart Failure (RELAX) trial who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and blood collection before randomization. Maximal left atrial volume index (LAVi; N = 100), left atrial emptying fraction (LAEF; N = 99; including passive and active components (LAEF_P, LAEF_A; N = 80, 79, respectively) were quantified by CMR. After adjustment for multiple testing, maximal LAVi was only associated with age (ρ = 0.39), transmitral filling patterns (medial E/e’ ρ = 0.43), and N-terminal pro-BNP (NT-proBNP; ρ = 0.65; all p<0.05). Lower LAEF was associated with older age, higher transmitral E/A ratio and higher NT-proBNP. Peak VO₂ and V_E/VCO₂ slope were not associated with left atrial structure or function. After adjustment for age, sex, transmitral E/A ratio, CMR LV mass, LV ejection fraction, and creatinine clearance, NT-proBNP remained associated with maximal LAVi (β = 0.028, p = 0.0007) and total LAEF (β = -0.033, p = 0.001). Passive and active LAEF were most strongly associated with age and NT-proBNP, but not gas exchange or other markers of ventricular structure or filling properties. Left atrial volume and emptying function are associated most strongly with NT-proBNP and diastolic filling properties, but not significantly with gas exchange, in HFpEF. Further research to explore the relevance of left atrial structure and function in HF-pEF is warranted.     

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.     

Long-Term Overexpression of Hsp70 Does Not Protect against Cardiac Dysfunction and Adverse Remodeling in a MURC Transgenic Mouse Model with Chronic Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation

Previous animal studies had shown that increasing heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) using a transgenic, gene therapy or pharmacological approach provided cardiac protection in models of acute cardiac stress. Furthermore, clinical studies had reported associations between Hsp70 levels and protection against atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia presenting in cardiology clinics and is associated with increased rates of heart failure and stroke. Improved therapies for AF and heart failure are urgently required. Despite promising observations in animal studies which targeted Hsp70, we recently reported that increasing Hsp70 was unable to attenuate cardiac dysfunction and pathology in a mouse model which develops heart failure and intermittent AF. Given our somewhat unexpected finding and the extensive literature suggesting Hsp70 provides cardiac protection, it was considered important to assess whether Hsp70 could provide protection in another mouse model of heart failure and AF. The aim of the current study was to determine whether increasing Hsp70 could attenuate adverse cardiac remodeling, cardiac dysfunction and episodes of arrhythmia in a mouse model of heart failure and AF due to overexpression of Muscle-Restricted Coiled-Coil (MURC). Cardiac function and pathology were assessed in mice at approximately 12 months of age. We report here, that chronic overexpression of Hsp70 was unable to provide protection against cardiac dysfunction, conduction abnormalities, fibrosis or characteristic molecular markers of the failing heart. In summary, elevated Hsp70 may provide protection in acute cardiac stress settings, but appears insufficient to protect the heart under chronic cardiac disease conditions.     

一种快速起搏右心室诱导犬慢性心衰模型的新方法

目的探讨快速起搏右心室高效建立大动物慢性心衰模型的方法。方法随机选择雄性健康杂种犬5只,采用心室非同步起搏模式,起搏频率(260±10)次/分持续4周,通过观察起搏前、后犬的体征,以及超声心动图心功能参数、心脏形态学变化来评价快速起搏右心室建立犬慢性心衰模型的高效性和安全性。结果 5只犬经快速右心室起搏均出现呼吸困难、活动减少、体质量减轻、浆膜腔积液等慢性心衰的症状和体征,超声心动图证实左心室射血分数由61.50%±3.36%降至38.60%±2.88%。结论快速起搏右心室建立犬慢性心衰模型能更好地模拟人类慢性心衰的病理生理变化,造模所需时间短,动物死亡率低,是一种高效、安全的大动物慢性心衰模型建立方法,为研究慢性心衰的发病机制打下基础。     

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。     

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。     

Digitalis Does not Improve Left Atrial Mechanical Dysfunction After Successful Electrical Cardioversion of Chronic Atrial Fibrillation

This study was designed to investigate whether administration of digitalis could improve mechanical function of left atrial appendage (LAA) and left atrium prospectively in patients with atrial stunning. Fifty-four consecutive patients in whom atrial stunning was observed immediately after cardioversion of chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) were randomized into digitalis or control group for 1 week following cardioversion. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) were performed prior to, immediately following, 1 day after and 1 week after cardioversion to measure transmitral flow velocity and LAA flow velocity. Electrical cardioversion of AF elicited significantly slower left atrial appendage peak emptying velocity (LAA-PEV) and peak filling velocity (LAA-PFV) immediately following cardioversion in both groups. 1 day post cardioversion, there were no significant differences in transmitral E wave, A wave, E/A ratio, LAA-PEV, LAA-PFV or left atrial appendage ejection fraction (LAA-EF) between digitalis and control groups. 1 week post cardioversion, no significant differences were found in transmitral E wave, A wave, E/A ratio, LAA-PEV, LAA-PFV or LAA-EF between the two groups. The occurrence rates of spontaneous echo contrast were not significantly different between digitalis and control groups one day and one week post cardioversion. In conclusion, digitalis did not improve left atrial and appendage mechanical dysfunction following cardioversion of chronic AF. Digitalis did not prevent the development of spontaneous echo contrast in left atrial chamber and appendage. This may be due to the fact that digitalis aggravates intracellular calcium overload induced by chronic AF and has a negative effect on ventricular rate.     

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.     

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.     

ROC曲线评价Fib、CRP和NT-pro BNP在慢性房颤 并发早期心衰的诊断价值

目的：探讨CRP、Fib、NT-pro BNP在早期心衰患者中的诊断价值,并通过ROC曲线方法找到临床诊断界值。方法：对48 例 房颤并发早期心衰患者(A组),31 例为心房颤动并发重度心衰(B 组)和40 健康对照组(C 组)血清Fib、CRP 和NT-pro BNP水平。 利用ROC 曲线,评价CRP、Fib、NT-pro BNP 房颤并发早期心力衰竭诊断效能。结果：CRP、Fib 和NT-pro BNP 在B 组中水平最 高,C 组水平最低,三组间差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。NT-pro BNP 的对心房颤动并发早期心力衰竭患者诊断的灵敏度和特异 度明显高于Fib和CRP。NT-pro BNP 曲线下面积明显高于Fib 和CRP,差异有统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论：Fib、CRP 和NT-pro BNP在房颤并发可能或早期心衰患者血清中水平升高,联合诊断可以提高并发可能心衰的诊断敏感性,使得临床及早干预。     

Measurement of Left Atrial Pressure is a Good Predictor of Freedom From Atrial Fibrillation

Background

It is suggested that an elevated left atrial pressure (LAP) promotes ectopic beats emanating in the pulmonary veins (PVs) and that LAP might be a marker for structural remodeling. This study aimed to identify if the quantification of LAP correlates with structural changes of the LA and may therefore be associated with outcomes following pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).

Methods

We analysed data from 120 patients, referred to PVI due to drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) (age 63±8; 57% men). The maximum (mLAP) and mean LAP (meLAP) were measured after transseptal puncture.

Results and Conclusions

Within a mean follow-up of 303±95 days, 60% of the patients maintained in sinus rhythm after the initial procedure and 78% after repeated PVI. Performing univariate Cox-regression analysis, type of AF, LA-volume (LAV), mLAP and the meLAP were significant predictors of recurrence after PVI (p=0.03; p=0.001; p=0.01). In multivariate analysis mLAP>18mmHg, LAV>100 ml and the presence of persistent AF were significant predictors (p=0.001; p=0.019; p=0.017). The mLAP >18 mmHg was associated with a hazard ratio of 3.8. Analyzing receiver-operator characteristics, the area under the curve for mLAP was 0.75 (p<0.01). mLAP >18 mmHg predicts recurrence with a sensitivity of 77 % and specificity of 60 %. There was a linear correlation between the LAV from MDCT and mLAP (p = 0.01, R2 = 0.61). The mLAP measured invasively displays a significant predictor for AF recurrence after PVI. There is a good correlation between LAP and LAV and both factors may be useful to quantify LA remodeling.     

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。     

Simulation of Left Atrial Function Using a Multi-Scale Model of the Cardiovascular System

During a full cardiac cycle, the left atrium successively behaves as a reservoir, a conduit and a pump. This complex behavior makes it unrealistic to apply the time-varying elastance theory to characterize the left atrium, first, because this theory has known limitations, and second, because it is still uncertain whether the load independence hypothesis holds. In this study, we aim to bypass this uncertainty by relying on another kind of mathematical model of the cardiac chambers. In the present work, we describe both the left atrium and the left ventricle with a multi-scale model. The multi-scale property of this model comes from the fact that pressure inside a cardiac chamber is derived from a model of the sarcomere behavior. Macroscopic model parameters are identified from reference dog hemodynamic data. The multi-scale model of the cardiovascular system including the left atrium is then simulated to show that the physiological roles of the left atrium are correctly reproduced. This include a biphasic pressure wave and an eight-shaped pressure-volume loop. We also test the validity of our model in non basal conditions by reproducing a preload reduction experiment by inferior vena cava occlusion with the model. We compute the variation of eight indices before and after this experiment and obtain the same variation as experimentally observed for seven out of the eight indices. In summary, the multi-scale mathematical model presented in this work is able to correctly account for the three roles of the left atrium and also exhibits a realistic left atrial pressure-volume loop. Furthermore, the model has been previously presented and validated for the left ventricle. This makes it a proper alternative to the time-varying elastance theory if the focus is set on precisely representing the left atrial and left ventricular behaviors.