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Biomedical subjects

G G Beloshapko

Publications and source records attributed to G G Beloshapko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Effects of verapamil on atrial fibrillation spontaneous initiation in the intact canine heart].

L-type Ca(2+) current (I(Ca,L)) has been shown to play a crucial role in initiation of early after depolarization (EAD) in cardiomyocytes. To study the possible role of EAD in spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation (AF), we tested the effects of L-type Ca(2+) channel blocker verapamil in canine models of cholinergic-dependent AF. In anesthetized open-chested dogs (n=13) spontaneous AF was induced by two methods: (1) perfusion with acetylcholine (ACh) in normal Tyrode solution at 9 ml/min into the sinus node artery (SNA) and (2) tonic stimulation of the right cervical vagus nerve (5 sec train). In the control, AF was induced in all dogs by perfusion with ACh (2.9+/-0.8 microM, mean+/-SEM) in 96+/-4% of attempts and by vagal stimulation (VS, 59+/-8 Hz) in 74+/-9% of attempts. Verapamil (0.2 mg/kg i.v.) did not alter the AF inducibility both during ACh perfusion and during VS (93+/-4% and 77+/-13%, NS, respectively) in dogs that retained sinus rhythm (n=8). However, verapamil significantly decreased AF inducibility to 50+/-4% and 21+/-13%, respectively, in dogs that passed to AV rhythm (n=5). Verapamil increased duration of both ACh- and vagally-mediated AF from 15+/-2 sec and 15+/-2 sec to 34+/-6 sec and 23+/-4 see (p<0.05 vs. control), respectively. The activation mapping (112 unipolar electrodes) during the initiation of AF did not reveal a difference in epicardial activation patterns before and after verapamil treatment. Inhibiting the I(Ca,L) by verapamil resulted in significant (p<0.05 vs. control) decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, PQ interval prolongation and slowing down of the sinus rate. Verapamil did not affect atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and conduction velocity in the right atria. The reduction of AERP and the deceleration of heart rate by VS (8 Hz) remained unchangeable after verapamil treatment in comparison to control. Thus, the data suggest that the mechanism of spontaneous AF initiation during increased cholinergic activity is not related to EAD in atria.

Animals↗

[Electrophysiological experimental study of a novel class III antiarrhythmic drug RG-2].

The electrophysiologic effects of a new drug, RG-2 were studied on anesthetized open-chest dogs and on rabbit right atrial tissue. RG-2 was manufactured in Chemical-Pharmaceutical Institute in Moscow. Dogs (n=12) were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (30 mg/kg, i.v.). An ECG lead II, arterial blood pressure, His bundle electrogram, atrial and ventricular bipolar electrograms were continuously monitored, recorded and then analyzed by a computerized complex for electrophysiological study. Electrophysiological variables, ECG parameters, atrioventricular conduction (His electrogram) and blood pressure were determined after sequential i.v. administration of 1, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 ug/kg of RG-2. Interval between injections was 60 min. RG-2 had no significant effect on PQ, QRS, S-A, A-H and H-V intervals, but the drug caused dose-dependent increase of R-R and QT intervals. Moreover, RG-2 dose-dependently increased the atrial and ventricular effective refractory periods (AERP and VERP). Maximal increases of AERP and VERP registered at 5 min after administration of RG-2 (40 microg/kg) were 46+/-2% (p<0.001 vs control) and 23+/-6% (p<0.05 vs control), respectively. In the isolated rabbit right atrial tissue RG-2 (0.01 to 1 microM) had no effects on maximal diastolic potential, action potential amplitude and Vmax, but revealed concentration-dependent increase of action potential duration at 90% repolarization level (APD90%). The maximal effects on APD90% obtained after RG superfusion at 1 microM were 26+/-7% (p<0.001 vs control). We conclude that RG-2 has significant effects of class III antiarrhythmic drugs in vivo and in vitro.

Animals↗

[Effects of ryanodine receptors block on spontaneous initiation of atrial fibrillation in the intact canine heart].

To study the possible role of intracellular Ca2+ overload in initiation of cholinergic-dependent atrial fibrillation (AF), we tested the effects of ryanodine in canine models of AF. In anesthetized open-chest dogs (n=10) AF was induced by two methods: (I) perfusion (9 ml/min) with normal Tyrode solution containing acetylcholine (ACh) into the sinus node artery (SNA) and (II) stimulation of the right vagal nerve (VS, 5 sec train). AF was induced in all dogs: by perfusion with ACh (3.7-/+1.5 mcM) into the SNA in 97-/+3% of attempts and by VS in 78-/+6% of attempts. Intravenous infusion of ryanodine (5 mg/kg) did not prevent induction of AF during ACh perfusion (84-/+5%, NS) but completely prevented the induction of AF by VS (4-/+3%, p<0.001). Atrial activation mapping (112 unipolar electrodes) did not show any significant differences between the beginning of ACh-dependent AF in control and after ryanodine treatment. Ryanodine significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic arterial pressures but had no effect on heart rate, atrial effective refractory period (AERP) and conduction velocity for one hour after infusion. Ryanodine, itself, did not exert antivagal activity, so after ryanodine treatment in the presence of VS (8 Hz) the reduction of AERP and the deceleration of heart rate were similar to that in control. These data suggest that ryanodine can suppress the initiation of AF induced by VS but not AF induced by ACh perfusion. We can conclude that the initiation of AF during ACh perfusion unlikely relates to triggering activity induced by intracellular Ca2+ overload. In addition, we suggest that besides ACh some 'unclear' ryanodine sensitive factor(s) contribute to the initiation of AF induced by VS.

Animals↗

Effects of E047/1, a new antiarrhythmic drug, on experimental atrial fibrillation in anesthetized dogs.

Effects of a new antiarrhythmic drug, E047/1, on atrial fibrillation were studied. Atrial conduction velocity and effective refractory period (ERP), electrocardiogram parameters (RR, PR, QRS, QT, and QTc intervals), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and plasma concentrations of E047/1 were determined during the first 30 min after sequential administration of 1, 3, and 6 mg/kg of E047/1 in polysorbate 60 (Tween 60) to anesthetized, opened-chest dogs with vagally induced atrial fibrillation. Epicardial mapping (using 224 unipolar electrodes) was used to determine atrial fibrillation cycle length and activation sequence before and after drug administration. E0471, 3 mg/kg, prevented atrial fibrillation reinduction, and 6 mg/kg terminated atrial fibrillation. E047/1, 6 mg/kg, increased atrial ERP from 124 +/- 9 to 168 +/- 14 ms (p < 0.05). Conduction velocity decreased from 103 +/- 4 cm/s to 87 +/- 3 cm/s (p < 0.05). Epicardial mapping showed that under drug influence there was gradual reduction of wavelet number until termination of the reentrant excitation. Atrial fibrillation cycle length increased before atrial fibrillation termination from 93 +/- 4 to 137 +/- 12 ms (p < 0.05). The ability of E047/1 to terminate and prevent reinduction of experimental atrial fibrillation appears associated more with a significant prolongation of the atrial ERP than with a slowing of conduction. E047/1 appears to be a promising antifibrillatory agent.

Animals↗

[Trigger activity of ryanodine in mechanism of cholinergic atrial fibrillation in dogs].

Systemic infusion of ryanodine did not prevent induction of atrial fibrillation (AF) during acetylcholine (Ach) perfusion in frogs. The AF, however, appeared later as of the dogs/Ach perfusion start and lasted for a shorter time as compared with the control. The activation mapping of the right atrium showed no significant difference from the control. The findings suggest that the mechanism of AF induction is hardly related to triggering activity, at least in this particular model.

Acetylcholine↗

[Isoproterenol potentiates atrial fibrillation induced by acetylcholine].

A perfusion with normal Tirode solution containing isoproterenol, acetylcholine and their combination into the sinus node artery of the anesthetized open-chest dogs was used to induce atrial fibrillation. The perfusion of isoproterenol, alone, was unable to induce atrial fibrillation, though significantly increased atrial rate. Meanwhile the perfusion of acetylcholine, alone, did induce atrial fibrillation in all animals. The mixed perfusion of isoproterenol and acetylcholine led to decreasing the threshold (minimum) concentration of acetylcholine to induce atrial fibrillation. Herewith, atrial fibrillation appeared at later time from a perfusion start and lasted for more long time. No significant slowing down of sinus rhythm was registered before the initiation of atrial fibrillation. The data suggest that initiation of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may only be mediated by parasympathetic activity and dependents on a level of adrenergic activity.

Acetylcholine↗

Effects of a new class III antiarrhythmic drug nibentan in a canine model of vagally mediated atrial fibrillation.

Nibentan, a new class III antiarrhythmic drug, is highly effective in patients with atrial flutter and fibrillation. However, its mechanism of action remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of nibentan using a canine model of vagally sustained atrial fibrillation (AF). Nibentan was intravenously infused to anesthetized open-chest dogs during vagally induced AF. Cumulative doses of nibentan (0.063, 0.125, and 0.250 mg/kg) successfully terminated AF in 78, 88, and 100% as well as prevented AF reinduction in 11, 63, and 90% of cases, respectively. All doses of nibentan significantly and rate-independently increased atrial effective refractory period (AERP) with and without vagal stimulation. Activation mapping (224 epicardial electrodes) during AF showed that nibentan reduced the number of simultaneously occurring reentrant wavelets. Herewith the atrial excitation slowed down until conduction failure of reentrant wavelets led to arrhythmia termination. These changes in activation patterns can be accounted for by nibentan-induced increase of AERP (55 +/- 9%, 82 +/- 12%, and 90 +/- 6%; p < 0.01) and wavelength for reentry (47 +/- 7%, 68 +/- 12%, and 72 +/- 4%; p < 0.01) at rapid atrial rates in the presence of vagal stimulation. In conclusion, the high efficacy of nibentan against AF was associated with significant rate-independent increase in AERP and in wavelength, and might be in part explained by block of both delayed rectifier (I(K)) and muscarinic I(K,ACh) currents.

Animals↗

Spatial distribution and frequency dependence of arrhythmogenic vagal effects in canine atria.

INTRODUCTION: Prior studies in isolated canine atria demonstrated that acetylcholine-induced reentrant atrial fibrillation (AF) was triggered by multifocal activity in the area of normal impulse origin (sinus node-crista terminalis). The aim of this study was to investigate the activation sequence in AF induced by vagal stimulation (VS) in intact dog hearts. METHODS AND RESULTS: VS (10 to 50 Hz, 1 msec, 15 V, 5-sec trains) induced single or multiple atrial premature depolarizations (APDs), and/or AF in 8 of 10 open chest dogs. Occurrence of APDs and AF increased with increasing VS intensity. Epicardial mapping (254 unipolar electrodes) of both atria showed that APDs as a rule emerged from ectopic sites, often from the right atrial appendage. Activation mapping of the first 10 cycles of AF showed that only a small number (<3 to 4) of unstable reentrant circuits were possible at the same moment. Moreover, most sustained VS-induced AFs were accounted for by a single leading stable reentrant circuit that activated the remainder of the atria. CONCLUSION: (1) Occurrence of vagally induced APDs and AF increases with increasing frequency of VS. (2) VS-induced focal ectopic APDs are widely distributed over the atria. (3) A single APD can be sufficient for initiation of reentrant AF. (4) Despite its high rate of sustained AF, it may be maintained by single stable reentrant circuit. (5) The atrial septum can play an important role in both the initiation and the maintenance of VS-induced AF.

Animals↗

[Comparison of atrial premature depolarization topography during vagal stimulation and humoral acetylcholine administration].

Epicardial atrial mapping in open-chest dogs during different cholinergic influences has shown that, in acetylcholine administration and vagal stimulation, spatial distribution of atrial premature depolarisation (APDs) seems to be similar to prevalence of ectopic sources from both atria and atrial septum. Spatial distribution of the APDs in acetylcholine administration in the sinus node artery was limited to the region of this artery so that the APDs mainly arise from intercaval area of the right atrium and from atrial septum, but never from the left atrium. The latent pacemakers spread over both atria and atrial septum, could participate in initiation of cholinergically-induced APDs and atrial fibrillation. A direct effect of acetylcholine seems to be necessary for development of arrhythmic activity of the latent pacemakers.

Acetylcholine↗

[The role of the interatrial septum in development of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias of vagal origin in dogs].

Patterns of atrial activation of ectopic pulse source during vagal stimulation were studied on atrial epicardial surface and atrial septum in mongrel dogs. Epicardial activation maps were drafted. The findings show that, irrespective of preferred direction of conduction in the atria and septum, the entire atrial myocardium acted as a conducting system. Mapping of the first extrasystolic beats during tachyarrhythmias induced with vagal stimulation, has shown their ectopic origin. The data obtained confirms the suggestion that atrial fibrillation may be due to a single source of arrhythmia in septal area.

Animals↗

[Multielectrode mapping study of proarrhythmic vagal effects in the dog atria].

Epicardial mapping (254 unipolar electrodes) of the dog heart both atria was performed to determine spatial distribution of arrhythmic events. The mapping showed that the first atrial premature depolarisation (APD) emerged from ectopic foci, it showed also specific multifocal patterns suggesting a septal source of tachycardia. The data obtained suggests that vagal stimulation (VS) induces focal ectopic APDs, that APDs and escape beats may be due to the same mechanism of spontaneous depolarization in the absence of a reset from dominant rhythm, that a single VS-induced APD is sufficient for initiation of a reentrant atrial fibrillation.

Animals↗

Combination ethacizin and ethmozin treatment of resistant ventricular ectopy: theoretical, experimental, and clinical study.

Ethmozin (Moricizine HCl) and ethacizin are two class I antiarrhythmic drugs with different rate constants of interaction with the sodium channel. Computer simulation using the "guarded-receptor" model predicted that the combination of ethacizin and ethmozin should exert a greater decrease in excitability and conduction at short coupling intervals, but little effect at normal heart rates (HR). To test this prediction, we measured intraventricular conduction delay in canine hearts in vivo. In agreement with the model, the combination more potently prolonged the delay only at intervals < 600 ms as compared with ethacizin alone. Combination therapy was tested in 6 patients with idiopathic ventricular ectopic depolarizations (VEDs). Three patients were resistant to either ethmozin or ethacizin monotherapy, and three could not tolerate effective doses because of side effects. Quantitative continuous ECG monitoring showed that total VEDs in the resistant group decreased 0 and 17 +/- 13% for 400 and 800 mg/day ethmozin and 18 +/- 12 and 55 +/- 12% for 100 and 200 mg/day ethacizin, respectively. Combined therapy with ethmozin (400 mg/day) and ethacizin (100 mg/day) reduced the number of VEDs by 78 +/- 2% in these patients without side effects. In the "nonresistant" but intolerant group of patients, use of the combination allowed relief of symptomatic ectopy without side effects. A theoretical model correctly predicted an effective combination of class I antiarrhythmic drugs, one with "fast-off" and one with "slow-off" kinetics, which may provide a general rationale for choosing drug combinations.

Adult↗

Influence of ionic modification on electrical activity of Purkinje fibers obtained from dogs with 1-day-old myocardial infarction.

A stable sustained rhythmic activity (SRA) occurred in 62 of 192 specimens isolated from the infarcted subendocardium of 48 dogs 24 h after a left descending coronary artery occlusion. Changes in [Na+]o and/or [Ca2+]o of the superfusate allowed us to distinguish two types of responses, suggestive of two different mechanisms for SRA. In type 1 responses at constant [Na+]o, the rate of SRA decreased when [Ca2+]o was increased and increased when [Ca2+]o was decreased. When [Ca2+]o was held constant, the rate of SRA was directly related to [Na+]o. In type 2 responses, at constant [Na+]o, the rate of SRA was directly proportional to [Ca2+]o. In contrast, at constant [Ca2+]o, SRA was inversely proportional to [Na+]o. When a constant [Ca2+]o/[Na+]o3 ratio was maintained, the type 2 response became indistinguishable from the type 1 response. The combination of lower temperature (36 degrees C) and high initial [Ca2+]o (2.7 mM) favored the type 2 response (28 of 32 preparations). In contrast, 25 of 30 preparations studied at 39 degrees C and 1.35 mM [Ca2+]o showed the type 1 response. These results suggest that SRA in the 24-h infarct model can be due to both abnormal automaticity (type 1) or triggered activity (type 2) and that changes in temperature and ionic milieu will largely determine which of the two mechanisms is responsible for SRA.

Animals↗

Modulating intraventricular conduction through competition of two class 1 antiarrhythmic agents: experience with ethacizin and lidocaine in canine heart.

The frequency-dependent effects on the intraventricular conduction through the dog heart in situ produced by two class 1 antiarrhythmic drugs, ethacizin and lidocaine, with different kinetic properties were investigated. Conduction delay was measured using stimulation of the His-bundle after pharmacologically induced atrioventricular (AV) block. Electrical events were derived from local epicardial bipolar electrograms at the base of the right ventricle. The stimulation program consisted of several 50-pulse trains with progressively shorter interstimulus intervals (ISI) separated by a l-s pause. Ethacizin (1.5 mg/kg) increased conduction delay by 30% at ISI of 1000 ms, and the effect was enhanced when ISI was shortened to 200 ms; l-s pauses did not significantly increase conduction velocity. Addition of lidocaine (12 mg/kg) strongly potentiated the ethacizin effect at ISI shorter than 300 ms without any noticeable increase in conduction delay at longer intervals. The major result was dramatic acceleration of conduction during the l-s pauses while both drugs were infused. With this combination, conduction delay after pause was shorter than with ethacizin alone, which is consistent with the competition of the drugs for the same binding site inside the sodium channel. Combination of two class 1 compounds in clinical practice may enhance their antiarrhythmic effects without adversely inhibiting normal impulse conduction in the heart. Computer-predicted data were in reasonable agreement with experimental results. The "guarded receptor" model, thus, can provide a simple method for predicting local anesthetic drug interactions in man.

Animals↗

[Effects of ethmozine on ventricular fibrillation threshold in acute occlusion of the coronary artery in dogs].

In experiments on dogs with acute left descending coronary artery occlusion, ethmozine (3 mg/kg) was tested for effects on the threshold of ventricular fibrillation occurring as a result of high-frequency electric stimulation. Two hours after occlusion, the fibrillation threshold became significantly lower than the control values. Ethmozine used in this period enhanced the ventricular fibrillation threshold in some experiments and diminished it in the others. Four hours following the occlusion, the fibrillation threshold did not differ from the control ones. Ethmozine given in this period caused a significant increase in the ventricular fibrillation threshold. It was concluded that 4 hours after the onset of experimental myocardial infarction are the minimal time period following which administration of ethmozine failed to decrease electric stability of the heart.

Animals↗

[The combined effect of 2 first-line anti-arrhythmia drugs on the conduction velocity of myocardial stimulation].

Experiments with recording the time of intraventricular reentry of the canine heart by a special protocol of stimulation showed that the first-line antiarrhythmic agents having various kinetics, ethacizine and lidocaine, compete for their binding to the Na+ channels of cardiac fibers. As a result of this competition, additivity was not found in the effects of ethacizine, 1.5 mg/kg, and lidocaine, 12 mg/kg, on the rate of intraventricular conduction at heart rate under 180/min. At higher cardiac rhythm values, the total effects of the two agents on the conduction were observed. The experimental evidence confirm the results of mathematical modelling of the combined effects of ethacizine and lidocaine on the intraventricular conduction velocity, which were calculated on the basis of kinetic constants for binding and dissociation of the agents to Na+ channels. The findings show that when the two first-line antiarrhythmics having a substantially different kinetics were used in combination, their antiarrhythmic effect may be enhanced without their total effects on the rate of normal intraventricular conduction velocity reentry.

Animals↗

[Effects of tetrodotoxin and verapamil on abnormal ventricular activity at the late stage of experimental myocardial infarction in dogs].

An in situ experimental study of the heart has demonstrated that verapamil++ (0.3 mg/kg), administered intravenously to dogs with complete transverse heart block one day after two-step occlusion of the left descending coronary artery either produced a 15-30% drop in the incidence of abnormal ventricular activity (AVA) in some experiments, or had no effect on the latter in others. Tetrodotoxin (3 micrograms/kg) produced a 20-44% drop in AVA in all experiments. Combined administration of 0.2 mg/kg verapamil++ and 2 micrograms/kg tetrodotoxin completely suppressed AVA. At an early phase of its development (5-10 hours after the occlusion of the left descending artery), AVA was completely suppressed both by 0.3 mg/kg verapamil and 3 micrograms/kg tetrodotoxin. Mechanisms of AVA and its progress following coronary-artery occlusion in dogs are discussed.

Animals↗