[Animal Modeling]-Vagus Atrial Fibrillation Model

  [Modeling mechanism] Studies have shown that the vagus nervous system may be involved in the formation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation, especially related to pulmonary venous atrial fibrillation. The detailed mechanism is not clear, and may be related to the activation of acetylcholine-dependent potassium currents (IK, Ach) after stimulating the vagus nerve, which shortens the atrial muscle action potential.

  [Modeling method] Dog: Please choose an adult male or female dog. The animals were fasted for 12 hours before the operation. After anesthesia, perform tracheal intubation and connect the limb leads of the electrocardiogram (ECG). Under the guidance of radiography, two 6F quadrupole electrodes were placed at the junction of the right upper chamber and the atrioventricular through bilateral femoral veins, and connected to the multi-channel physiological recorder. Disinfect the neck to prepare the skin, then cut and separate both sides of the vagus nerve trunk from the neck. After cutting, electrodes are placed on the nerve ends of the heart to perform constant voltage pulse stimulation. The pulse width is 0.1 ms. During continuous bilateral vagus nerve stimulation, rapid atrial pacing with a period of 90-120 ms induces atrial fibrillation.

  [Model Features] The success rate of this model is about 80%. Atrial fibrillation lasts for a long time and has good reproducibility. When the stimulation is stopped, atrial fibrillation almost stops naturally.

  [Model Evaluation and Application] Rapid pacing of vagus nerve stimulation and atrial fibrillation. Because the atrial fibrillation model is relatively inexpensive (acute study), it can provide continuous atrial fibrillation and can be used at any time depending on the situation. Stop vagus nerve stimulation. This model is usually used to end atrial fibrillation. It is used in preclinical studies to evaluate the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs on atrial fibrillation. It is also a fixed model for studying autonomic tension imbalance and local paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.