Mitochondrial Dysfunction as an Arrhythmogenic Substrate
Atrial Fibrillation Thursday, October 10th, 2013JACC: 10/1/13
A Translational Proof-of-Concept Study in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome in Whom Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation Develops
Objectives This study sought to provide bedside evidence of the potential link between cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction and arrhythmia as reported in bench studies.
Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication of cardiac surgery. Underlying mechanisms of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) remain largely unknown. Because cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction has been reported in clinical conditions with a high risk of POAF, we investigated whether a causal link exists between POAF onset and pre-operative function of cardiac mitochondria.
Methods Pre-operative mitochondrial respiration and calcium retention capacity, respiratory complex activity, and myocardial oxidative stress were quantified in right atrial tissue from 104 consecutive patients with metabolic syndrome, in sinus rhythm, and undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery. read more
