Increased mechanically-induced ectopy in the hypertrophied heart

IntroductionLeft ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) predisposes patients to arrhythmias, but the mechanism of these arrhythmias is unclear. Here we show that hearts from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have a lower threshold for induction mechanically induced arrhythmias compared to age matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY).MethodsRecordings were made from isolated hearts from nine month old SHR (n = 18) and WKY (n = 17) rats. A water filled balloon in the left ventricle had its volume controlled by a servo-driven syringe. LVEDP was abruptly increased in increments until an ectopic beat was detected by an epicardial MAP electrode. Alternatively, LVEDP was abruptly reduced back to 5 mm Hg from an elevated pressure.ResultsSHR hearts had a lower threshold for stretch induced ectopics (29.87 ± 2.79 mm Hg vs. 42.23 ± 2.33 mm Hg, p ConclusionsHearts from SHR are more susceptible to both stretch-induced and release-induced arrhythmia.Do Yeong Kim, Ed White, David A. Sain