A brain-stellate ganglion-atrium network regulates atrial fibrillation vulnerability through macrophages in acute stroke

Abstract Aims New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) is frequently observed following acute stroke. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the brain-stellate ganglion-atrium network on AF vulnerability in a canine model with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Materials and methods Twenty-six dogs were randomly divided into the sham-operated group (n = 6), acute stroke (AS) group (n = 7), stellate ganglion ablation (SGA) group (n = 6) and clodronate liposome (CL) group (n = 7). In the sham-operated group, dogs received craniotomy without MCAO. Cerebral ischemic model was established in AS dogs by right MCAO. Right MCAO along with SGA and CL injection into the atrium was performed in SGA and CL dogs, respectively. After 3 days, atrial electrophysiology, neural activity, and the phenotype and function of macrophages in the atrium were studied in all the dogs. Key findings Higher AF inducibility (24.4 ± 4.4% versus 4.4 ± 2.2%, P  Significance A brain-stellate ganglion-atrium network may increase AF vulnerability through macrophage activation after acute stroke.