Journal article
Obesity results in progressive atrial structural and electrical remodeling: Implications for atrial fibrillation
HS Abed, CS Samuel, DH Lau, DJ Kelly, SG Royce, M Alasady, R Mahajan, P Kuklik, Y Zhang, AG Brooks, AJ Nelson, SG Worthley, WP Abhayaratna, JM Kalman, GA Wittert, P Sanders
Heart Rhythm | Published : 2013
Abstract
Background: Obesity is associated with atrial fibrillation (AF); however, the mechanisms by which it induces AF are unknown. Objective: To examine the effect of progressive weight gain on the substrate for AF. Methods: Thirty sheep were studied at baseline, 4 months, and 8 months, following a high-calorie diet. Ten sheep were sampled at each time point for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and hemodynamic studies. High-density multisite biatrial epicardial mapping was used to quantify effective refractory period, conduction velocity, and conduction heterogeneity index at 4 pacing cycle lengths and AF inducibility. Histology was performed for atrial fibrosis, inflammation, and intramyocardia..
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Funding Acknowledgements
This article was presented in part by Dr Abed, who was awarded the Ralph Reader Young Investigator Award by the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand. It was published as an abstract in Heart Rhythm 2012;112:S190, Heart Rhythm 2012;93:S183, and Heart Lung and Circulation 2011;20:S2. Dr Abed and Dr Mahajan were supported by the Australian Postgraduate Award from the University of Adelaide. Drs Abed and Alasady were supported by the Earl Bakken Electrophysiology Scholarships from the University of Adelaide. Dr Samuel was supported by the RD Wright Fellowship jointly funded by the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NHFA) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia. Dr Lau was supported by an NHMRC Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr Alasady was supported by a Postgraduate Scholarship from the NHMRC. Dr Mahajan was supported by the Leo J Mahar Electrophysiology Scholarship from the University of Adelaide. Drs Kuklik, Brooks, and Sanders were supported by the NHFA. Dr Sanders served on the advisory board of Bard Electrophysiology, Biosense Webster, Medtronic, St Jude Medical, Merck, and Sanofi-Aventis. He also received lecture fees or research funding from Bard Electrophysiology, Biosense Webster, Medtronic, and St Jude Medical.