Management of electrical storm: The mechanism matters

AbstractAn electrical storm is a life-threatening syndrome that is characterized by clustering of recurrent episodes of ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) within a relatively short period of time. Electrical storms occur in a wide variety of conditions, and successful treatment depends on a correct understanding of the mechanism underlying the recurrent arrhythmias. Management of electrical storms is challenging, but classifying patients according to the type of recurrent arrhythmia (monomorphic VT or polymorphic VT/VF) and the presence or absence of structural heart disease would aid differential diagnosis and allow for more specific therapies

Osborn Waves: History and Significance

The Osborn wave is a deflection with a dome or hump configuration occurring at the R-ST junction (J point) on the ECG (Fig. 1). In the historical view, different names have been used for this wave in the medical literature, such as “camel-hump sign”, “late delta wave”, “hathook junction”, “hypothermic wave”, “J point wave”, “K wave”, “H wave” and “current of injury”.1 Although there is no definite consensus about terminology of this wave, either “Osborn wave” or “J wave” are the most commonly used names for this wave in the current clinical and experimental cardiology. The Osborn wave can be generally observed in hypothermic patients,1,2,3,4 however, other conditions have been reported to cause Osborn waves, such as hypercalcemia,5 brain injury,6 subarachnoid hemorrhage,7 cardiopulmonary arrest from oversedation,8 vasospastic angina,9 or idiopathic ventricular fibrillation.10,11,12 Our knowledge about the link between the Osborn waves and cardiac arrhythmias remains sparse and the arrhythmogenic potential of the Osborn waves is not fully understood. In this paper, we present a historic review of Osborn waves and discuss their clinical significance in the various clinical settings

Design of teleoperation system with a force-reflecting real-time simulator

We developed a force-reflecting teleoperation system that uses a real-time graphic simulator. This system eliminates the effects of communication time delays in remote robot manipulation. The simulator provides the operator with predictive display and feedback of computed contact forces through a six-degree of freedom (6-DOF) master arm on a real-time basis. With this system, peg-in-hole tasks involving round-trip communication time delays of up to a few seconds were performed at three support levels: a real image alone, a predictive display with a real image, and a real-time graphic simulator with computed-contact-force reflection and a predictive display. The experimental results indicate the best teleoperation efficiency was achieved by using the force-reflecting simulator with two images. The shortest work time, lowest sensor maximum, and a 100 percent success rate were obtained. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of simulated-force-reflecting teleoperation efficiency

Atrial fibrillatory wave amplitude revisited: A predictor of recurrence after catheter ablation independent of the degree of left atrial structural remodeling

Background: The fibrillatory wave amplitude (FWA) during atrial fibrillation (AF) is thought to reflect structural atrial remodeling, but it remains unclear what determines the FWA. Methods: 114 consecutive patients were prospectively studied who underwent catheter ablation of AF. The mean FWA was computed by automated surface ECG analyses. The extent of the left atrial (LA) voltage-defined atrial fibrosis and conduction properties were estimated by a three-dimensional high-density electroanatomical mapping system. The LA size was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography. The study patients were divided into 2 groups according to an FWA in lead V1 above the median value of 46 µV (high FWA group, n=57) or below 46 µV (low FWA group, n=57). Results: There were no differences in the age, gender, CHADS2 score, prevalence of paroxysmal AF, medications, ablation strategy, and LA volume index between the two groups. The LA low voltage areas in the low FWA group were not different from those in the high FWA group. The total LA activation time and local LA conduction velocity did not differ between the two groups. During a median follow-up of 710 days, the recurrence rate after ablation was significantly higher in patients with a low FWA than a high FWA (log-rank P=0.02). In a multivariate analysis, non-paroxysmal AF, the LA volume index, and FWA were independent predictors of recurrence after　ablation. Conclusions: The FWA was not correlated with the markers of atrial structural remodeling. Nevertheless, the FWA could still provide information for predicting the clinical outcome after AF ablation

Atrial fibrillation and electrophysiology in transgenic mice with cardiac-restricted overexpression of FKBP12

Cardiomyocyte-restricted overexpression of FK506-binding protein 12 transgenic (αMyHC-FKBP12) mice develop spontaneous atrial fibrillation (AF). The aim of the present study is to explore the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of AF in αMyHC-FKBP12 mice. Spontaneous AF was documented by telemetry in vivo and Langendorff-perfused hearts of αMyHC-FKBP12 and littermate control mice in vitro. Atrial conduction velocity was evaluated by optical mapping. The patch-clamp technique was applied to determine the potentially altered electrophysiology in atrial myocytes. Channel protein expression levels were evaluated by Western blot analyses. Spontaneous AF was recorded in four of seven αMyHC-FKBP12 mice but in none of eight nontransgenic (NTG) controls. Atrial conduction velocity was significantly reduced in αMyHC-FKBP12 hearts compared with NTG hearts. Interestingly, the mean action potential duration at 50% but not 90% was significantly prolonged in αMyHC-FKBP12 atrial myocytes compared with their NTG counterparts. Consistent with decreased conduction velocity, average peak Na+ current ( INa) density was dramatically reduced and the INa inactivation curve was shifted by approximately +7 mV in αMyHC-FKBP12 atrial myocytes, whereas the activation and recovery curves were unaltered. The Nav1.5 expression level was significantly reduced in αMyHC-FKBP12 atria. Furthermore, we found increases in atrial Cav1.2 protein levels and peak L-type Ca2+ current density and increased levels of fibrosis in αMyHC-FKBP12 atria. In summary, cardiomyocyte-restricted overexpression of FKBP12 reduces the atrial Nav1.5 expression level and mean peak INa, which is associated with increased peak L-type Ca2+ current and interstitial fibrosis in atria. The combined electrophysiological and structural changes facilitated the development of local conduction block and altered action potential duration and spontaneous AF. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study addresses a long-standing riddle regarding the role of FK506-binding protein 12 in cardiac physiology. The work provides further evidence that FK506-binding protein 12 is a critical component for regulating voltage-gated sodium current and in so doing has an important role in arrhythmogenic physiology, such as atrial fibrillation

Carvedilol Analogue Modulates both Basal and Stimulated Sinoatrial Node Automaticity

The membrane voltage clock and calcium (Ca(2+)) clock jointly regulate sinoatrial node (SAN) automaticity. VK-II-36 is a novel carvedilol analog that suppresses sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) release but does not block the β-receptor. The effect of VK-II-36 on SAN function remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether VK-II-36 can influence SAN automaticity by inhibiting the Ca(2+) clock. We simultaneously mapped intracellular Ca(2+) and membrane potential in 24 isolated canine right atriums using previously described criteria of the timing of late diastolic intracellular Ca elevation (LDCAE) relative to the action potential upstroke to detect the Ca(2+) clock. Pharmacological interventions with isoproterenol (ISO), ryanodine, caffeine, and VK-II-36 were performed after baseline recordings. VK-II-36 caused sinus rate downregulation and reduced LDCAE in the pacemaking site under basal conditions (P < 0.01). ISO induced an upward shift of the pacemaking site in SAN and augmented LDCAE in the pacemaking site. ISO also significantly and dose-dependently increased the sinus rate. The treatment of VK-II-36 (30 μmol/l) abolished both the ISO-induced shift of the pacemaking site and augmentation of LDCAE (P < 0.01), and it suppressed the ISO-induced increase in sinus rate (P = 0.02). Our results suggest that the sinus rate may be partly controlled by the Ca(2+) clock via SR Ca(2+) release during β-adrenergic stimulation

Selective sinoatrial node optical mapping and the mechanism of sinus rate acceleration

BACKGROUND: Studies using isolated sinoatrial node (SAN) cells indicate that rhythmic spontaneous sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release (Ca clock) plays an important role in SAN automaticity. In the intact SAN, cross-contamination of optical signals from the SAN and the right atrium (RA) prevent the definitive testing of Ca clock hypothesis. The aim of this study was to use a novel approach to selectively mapping the intact SAN to examine the Ca clock mechanism. METHODS AND RESULTS: We simultaneously mapped intracellular Ca (Ca(i)) and membrane potential (V(m)) in 10 isolated, Langendorff-perfused normal canine RAs. The excitability of the RA was suppressed with high-potassium Tyrode's solution, allowing selective optical mapping of V(m) and Ca(i) of the SAN. Isoproterenol (ISO, 0.03 µmol/L) decreased the cycle length of the sinus beats, and shifted the leading pacemaker site from the middle or inferior SAN to the superior SAN in all RAs. The Ca(i) upstroke preceded the V(m) in the leading pacemaker site by up to 18 ± 2 ms. ISO-induced changes to SAN were inhibited by ryanodine (3 µmol/L), but not ZD7288 (3 µmol/L), a selective I(f) blocker. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that, in the isolated canine RA, a high extracellular potassium concentration can suppress atrial excitability thus leading to SAN-RA conduction block, allowing selective optical mapping of the intact SAN. Acceleration of Ca cycling in the superior SAN underlies the mechanism of sinus tachycardia during sympathetic stimulation

Hypokalemia Promotes Late Phase 3 Early Afterdepolarization and Recurrent Ventricular Fibrillation During Isoproterenol Infusion in Langendorff Perfused Rabbit Ventricles

BACKGROUND Hypokalemia and sympathetic activation are commonly associated with electrical storm (ES) in normal and diseased hearts. The mechanisms remain unclear. OBJECTIVE To test the hypothesis that late phase 3 early afterdepolarization (EAD) induced by IKATP activation underlies the mechanisms of ES during isoproterenol infusion and hypokalemia. METHODS Intracellular calcium (Cai) and membrane voltage were optically mapped in 32 Langendorff-perfused normal rabbit hearts. RESULTS Repeated episodes of electrically-induced VF at baseline did not result in spontaneous VF (SVF). During isoproterenol infusion, SVF occurred in 1 of 15 hearts (7%) studied in normal extracellular potassium ([K+]o) (4.5 mmol/L), 3 of 8 hearts (38%) in 2.0 mmol/L [K+]o, 9 of 10 hearts (90%) in 1.5 mmol/L [K+]o, and 7 of 7 hearts (100%) in 1.0 mmol/L [K+]o (P<0.001). Optical mapping showed isoproterenol and hypokalemia enhanced Cai transient duration (CaiTD) and heterogeneously shortened action potential duration (APD) after defibrillation, leading to late phase 3 EAD and SVF. IKATP blocker (glibenclamide, 5 μmol/L) reversed the post-defibrillation APD shortening and suppressed recurrent SVF in all hearts studied despite no evidence of ischemia. Nifedipine reliably prevented recurrent VF when given before, but not after, the development of VF. IKr blocker (E-4031) and small conductance calcium activated potassium channel blocker (apamin) failed to prevent recurrent SVF. CONCLUSION Beta-adrenergic stimulation and concomitant hypokalemia could cause non-ischemic activation of IKATP, heterogeneous APD shortening and prolongation of CaiTD to provoke late phase 3 EAD, triggered activity and recurrent SVF. IKATP inhibition may be useful in managing ES during resistant hypokalemia

Apamin-Sensitive Calcium-Activated Potassium Currents in Rabbit Ventricles with Chronic Myocardial Infarction

Introduction Apamin-sensitive small-conductance calcium-activated potassium current (IKAS) is increased in heart failure. It is unknown if myocardial infarction (MI) is also associated with an increase of IKAS. Methods and Results We performed Langendorff perfusion and optical mapping in 6 normal hearts and 10 hearts with chronic (5 weeks) MI. An additional 6 normal and 10 MI hearts were used for patch clamp studies. The infarct size was 25% [95% confidence interval, 20 to 31] and the left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.5 [0.46 to 0.54]. The rabbits did not have symptoms of heart failure. The action potential duration measured to 80% repolarization (APD80) in the peri-infarct zone (PZ) was150 [142 to 159] ms, significantly (p=0.01) shorter than in the normal ventricles (158 to 177] ms). The intracellular Ca transient duration was also shorter in the PZ (148 [139 to 157] ms) than in normal ventricles (168 [157 to 180] ms; P=0.017). Apamin prolonged the APD80 in PZ by 9.8 [5.5 to 14.1] %, which is greater than in normal ventricles (2.8 [1.3 to 4.3] %, p=0.006). Significant shortening of APD80 was observed at the cessation of rapid pacing in MI but not in normal ventricles. Apamin prevented postpacing APD80 shortening. Patch clamp studies showed that IKAS was significantly higher in the PZ cells (2.51 [1.55 to 3.47] pA/pF, N=17) than in the normal cells (1.08 [0.36 to 1.80] pA/pF, N=15, p=0.019). Conclusion We conclude that IKAS is increased in MI ventricles and contributes significantly to ventricular repolarization especially during tachycardia

Chronic Low-Level Vagus Nerve Stimulation Reduces Stellate Ganglion Nerve Activity and Paroxysmal Atrial Tachyarrhythmias in Ambulatory Canines

poster abstractIntroduction: Left sided low-level vagus nerve stimulation (LL-VNS) is used clinically for epilepsy and depression. We hypothesize that LL-VNS can suppress sympathetic outflow and reduce atrial tachyarrhythmias in ambulatory dogs. Methods: We implanted in 12 dogs a neurostimulator in left cervical vagus nerve and a radiotransmitter for continuous recording of left stellate ganglion nerve activities (SGNA), left thoracic vagal nerve activities (VNA) and electrocardiograms. The first 6 dogs (Group 1) underwent 1 week continuous LL-VNS. Another 6 dogs (Group 2) underwent intermittent rapid atrial pacing followed by active or sham LL-VNS on alternate weeks. Results: Integrated SGNA was significantly reduced during LL-VNS (7.8±0.9 mV-s vs. 9.4±0.9 mVs at baseline, P<0.05) in Group 1.The reduction was most apparent from 7 to 9 AM, (31% reduction, 10.8±2.5 mV-s versus 15.6±2.9 mV-s at baseline, P<0.01), along with a significantly reduced heart rate (P<0.05). SGNA-induced heart rate acceleration averaged 107.9±9.0 bpm during LL-VNS and 129.2±9.3 bpm at baseline (P<0.05). LL-VNS did not change VNA. The tyrosine hydroxylase-positive nerve structures in the left stellate ganglion were 99,684±22,257 µm2/mm2 in LL-VNS dogs and 186,561±11,383 µm2/mm2 (P<0.01) in normal control dogs. In Group 2, the frequencies of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and atrial tachycardia during active LLVNS were 1.4±2.5/d and 8.0±5.8/d, respectively, significantly lower than during sham stimulation (9.2±6.2/d, P<0.01 and 22.0±4.4/d, P<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: LL-VNS suppresses SGNA and reduces the incidences of paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmias in ambulatory dogs. Significant neural remodeling of the left stellate ganglion is evident one week after cessation of chronic LL-VNS