Longitudinal study of electrical, functional and structural remodelling in an equine model of atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Large animal models are important in atrial fibrillation (AF) research, as they can be used to study the pathophysiology of AF and new therapeutic approaches. Unlike other animal models, horses spontaneously develop AF and could therefore serve as a bona fide model in AF research. We therefore aimed to study the electrical, functional and structural remodelling caused by chronic AF in a horse model. METHOD:Nine female horses were included in the study, with six horses tachypaced into self-sustained AF and three that served as a time-matched sham-operated control group. Acceleration in atrial fibrillatory rate (AFR), changes in electrocardiographic and echocardiographic variables and response to medical treatment (flecainide 2 mg/kg) were recorded over a period of 2 months. At th

SUBMITTER: Hesselkilde EZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6805623 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature