Autonomic conflict exacerbates long QT associated ventricular arrhythmias.

ABSTRACT: This study tested the hypothesis that concomitant sympathetic and parasympathetic stimulation ("autonomic conflict") may act as a trigger for arrhythmias in long QT syndrome (LQTS). Studies were performed in isolated innervated rabbit hearts treated with clofilium (100 nmol/L); a potassium channel blocker. The influence of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias was assessed in the absence/presence of sustained noradrenaline perfusion (100 nmol/L) and with sudden adrenergic stress (injections of noradrenaline into the perfusion line). Hearts were instrumented for a pseudo-electrocardiogram and monophasic action potential recordings. VNS, which slows heart rate, was associated with a stimulation frequency-dependent incidence of spontaneous early after-depolarisa

SUBMITTER: Winter J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5855091 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature