The independent role of the aortic root ganglionated plexi in the initiation of atrial fibrillation: An experimental study

Objective The major atrial ganglionated plexi (GP) can initiate atrial fibrillation alone without any contribution from the extrinsic cardiac nervous system. However, if stimulation of the ventricular GP, especially the aortic root GP, can provoke atrial fibrillation (AF) alone is unknown. Our study was designed to investigate the independent role of aortic root GP activity in the initiation of AF. Methods In 10 Langendorff-perfused canine hearts, the atrial effective refractory period, pulmonary vein effective refractory period, and percentage of AF induced were measured at baseline and during aortic root GP stimulation. Results Stimulation of the aortic root GP shortened the atrial effective refractory period from 128 ± 10 ms at baseline to 103 ± 15 ms ( P