Effects of low-intensity atrial ganglionated plexi stimulation on ventricular electrophysiology and arrhythmogenesis

Abstract Background Atrial ganglionated plexi (GP) have been shown to modulate sinus rate, atrioventricular conduction and atrial electrophysiology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-intensity GP stimulation (GPS) on ventricular electrophysiological properties in normal heart and on ventricular arrhythmogenesis after acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) in canine. Methods and Results Thirty-nine dogs were assigned into the normal heart group ( n  = 12) and the acute myocardial ischemia (AMI) group ( n  = 27, 12 in control and 15 in low-intensity GPS). In the normal heart group, ventricular effective refractory period (ERP), dynamic restitution and electrical alternans were measured at baseline and after 6-hour low-intensity GPS. In the AMI group, the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias was determined during 1-hour recording after AMI was induced. In the normal heart, 6-hour low-intensity GPS significantly prolonged ventricular ERP and action potential duration (APD) at each site (all P P P Conclusions Low-intensity GPS induces no increase in the risk of ventricular arrhythmias in the normal heart as well as protects against ventricular arrhythmogenesis during AMI.