Ablation of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system to evaluate efferent control of cardiac function

Study Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efferent control of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system on cardiac function. We performed consecutive ablations of porcine ganglionated plexuses (GPs) in two different sequences.

Data Collection: This dataset includes cardiac electrophysiologic and hemodynamic data with autonomic stimulation before and after two sets of sequential ablations of GPs were performed.

Primary Conclusion: Ablation of the RAGP mitigates vagal nerve stimulation (VNS)-induced changes in heart rate, atrioventricular nodal conduction, and left ventricular contractility with less of an impact on stellate ganglion stimulation (SGS)-induced changes. Ablation of the VIVGP first mitigates VNS- and SGS-induced changes in left ventricular contractility. Subsequent ablation of the inferior vena cava-inferior atrium GP (IVC-IAGP) induced a more profound effect on atrioventricular conduction.

Curator's Notes

Experimental Design: Disruption of specific ganglionated plexuses (GPs) of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system (ICN) was performed using an ultrasonic aspirator to define specific areas of influence with respect to neural control of cardiac mechanical and electrical function. Electrical autonomic (parasympathetic and sympathetic) stimulation was the primary method of assessment for areas influenced by specific ICN ganglia as defined by regional loss of synchrony (electrical) following each successive GP ablation. GPs targeted include the right atrial GP (RAGP), inferior vena cava-inferior atrial GP (IVC-IAGP), ventral interventricular GP (VIVGP), left atrial GP (LAGP), and posterior atrial GP (PAGP). One set involves ablation of the VIVGP first (n=8) and a second on RAGP ablation first (n=7). Cardiac electrical activity was measured using surface ECGs, intracardiac electrograms, a 56-electrode sock overlying the heart, and a pressure transducer catheter in the heart measured left ventricular pressures.

Completeness: This dataset is a part of a larger study: "Innervation and neuronal control of the mammalian sinoatrial node."

Subjects & Samples: Male (n=10) and female (n=5) pigs 7-11 months old were used in this study.

Primary vs derivative data: Primary data is organized in folders by the subject ID and contains hemodynamics and cardiac electrophysiology data collected in Spike2 (.txt files) and using the GE CardioLab system (.txt files). Histology data were collected for subjects sub-P162287 and sub-P117980 only. There is no derivative data folder.