Benjamin J. Scherlag

Focal Atrial Fibrillation: Experimental Evidence for a Pathophysiologic Role of the Autonomic Nervous System

Focal AF and Autonomic Nerves. Introduction: Focal paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) was shown recently to originate in the pulmonary veins (PVs) and superior vena cava (SVC). In the present study, we describe an animal model in which local high‐frequency electrical stimulation produces focal atrial activation and AF/AT (atrial tachycardia) with electrogram characteristics consistent with clinical reports.

Autonomic Mechanism to Explain Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms (CFAE)

Objective:u2002To simulate complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) during sustained atrial fibrillation (AF) in experimental animals.

Gradients of atrial refractoriness and inducibility of atrial fibrillation due to stimulation of ganglionated plexi.

Introduction. The mechanism(s) whereby atrial ectopy induces atrial fibrillation (AF) is still poorly understood.

Low‐Level Vagosympathetic Nerve Stimulation Inhibits Atrial Fibrillation Inducibility: Direct Evidence by Neural Recordings from Intrinsic Cardiac Ganglia

Intrinsic Cardiac Ganglia Activity Inhibited by Low‐Level Vagal Stimulation.u2002Introduction: We hypothesized that low‐level vagosympathetic stimulation (LL‐VNS) can suppress atrial fibrillation (AF) by inhibiting the activity of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system (ICANS).

Autonomic Mechanism for Complex Fractionated Atrial Electrograms: Evidence by Fast Fourier Transform Analysis

Introduction: The mechanism(s) underlying complex fractionated atrial electrograms (CFAE) is not well understood. We hypothesized that CFAE may be caused by enhanced activity of the intrinsic cardiac autonomic nervous system.

Low-level right vagal stimulation: anticholinergic and antiadrenergic effects.

Right Vagal Stimulation Suppresses Atrial Fibrillation. Introduction: We sought to extend the use of low‐level vagal stimulation by applying it only to the right vagus nerve (LL‐RVS) to suppress atrial fibrillation (AF).

An Acute Model for Atrial Fibrillation Arising from a Peripheral Atrial Site: Evidence for Primary and Secondary Triggers

Background: We previously demonstrated that acetylcholine (Ach) injected into cardiac ganglionated plexi (GP) causes pulmonary vein (PV) ectopy initiating atrial fibrillation (AF).

Functional Properties of the Superior Vena Cava (SVC)-Aorta Ganglionated Plexus: Evidence Suggesting an Autonomic Basis for Rapid SVC Firing

Superior Vena Cava‐Aorta Ganglionated Plexus.u2002Introduction: The mechanism underlying spontaneous rapid superior vena cava (SVC) firing that initiates atrial fibrillation (AF) remains poorly understood. We investigated the role of the SVC‐aorta‐ganglionated plexus (SVC‐Ao‐GP) in AF initiated by rapid firing from the SVC.

Inducibility of Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmias Along the Ligament of Marshall: Role of Autonomic Factors

Background: The mechanism(s) underlying atrial fibrillation (AF) initiation along the ligament of Marshall (LOM) remains controversial.

Evidence for multiple atrio-AV nodal inputs in the normal dog heart.

Multiple Atrio‐AVN Inputs in Dog Heart. Introduction: Complete AV block after combined fast pathway (FP) and slow pathway (SP) ablation is uncommon. The purpose of this study was to interrupt activation of these and additional inputs by placing a radiofrequency lesion across the interatrial septum between the FP and SP ablation sites.