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Cited by 266Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmiasCardiac Arrhythmias and TreatmentsCardiac pacing and defibrillation studies

Initiating Reentry: The Role of Nonuniform Anisotropy in Small Circuits

SPACH, MADISON S., JOSEPHSON, MARK E.·1994·Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
DOI 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1994.tb01157.x
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Abstract

Until recently only two types of media have been considered to provide the nonuniformities necessary to initiate cardiac reentry: (1) continuous isotropic media with intrinsic repolarization inhomogeneities; and (2) continuous isotropic media free of inhomogeneities in which repolarization nonuniformities are introduced transiently. The purpose of this article is to establish cellular coupling as a basis for arrhythmias by placing a new type of inhomogeneity, nonuniform anisotropy due to sparse side-to-side coupling between cells, in an overall perspective with the other nonuniformities that lead to reentry. Review of experimental and theoretical models of reentry leads to the following picture: with slowed conduction, reentrant circuits diminish in size and the nonuniformities necessary for reentry are provided by nonuniform anisotropy. Repolarization nonuniformities create functionally different pathways for reentrant circuits of relatively large size (> 30-50 mm2). Nonuniform anisotropic cellular coupling, which is associated with underlying microfibrosis, makes it possible for reentry to occur in small areas (< 10-15 mm2). A general property found in nonuniform anisotropic bundles is the presence of functionally different pathways in the absence of intrinsic repolarization inhomogeneities--one of fast longitudinal conduction with a longer refractory period, and another of "very slow" transverse conduction with a shorter refractory period. Since it is not known if nonuniform anisotropy exists in the AV node, the best known structure with small reentrant circuits, we performed microscopic extracellular measurements in the AV node of the rabbit. The transitional zone of the AV node was found to have markedly nonuniform anisotropic conduction properties. The analysis provides the view that functionally different pathways of small reentrant circuits, including those of the AV node, need to be reevaluated in terms of the role of nonuniform anisotropic cellular coupling.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1540-8167.1994.tb01157.x

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  • Structural remodelling results in electrical dissociation between muscle bundles and local conduction heterogeneities, favouring reentry and perpetuation of the arrhythmia.

    “Structural remodelling results in electrical dissociation between muscle bundles and local conduction heterogeneities, 85 favouring reentry and perpetuation of the arrhythmia.86”

    From 2016 ESC Guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS (2016) · cites this paper as [86]

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Authors
SPACH, M. S., & JOSEPHSON, M. E.
Affiliations
Duke Medical Center (US)
Corresponding author
SPACH, MADISON S.
Venue
Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1994-02
Volume
5
Issue
2
Pages
182-209
ISSN
  • 1045-3873 (ISSN-L)
  • 1540-8167
DOI
10.1111/j.1540-8167.1994.tb01157.x
OpenAlex
W2050945206
Cited by
266
References
69
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 6 · 2017: 10 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI
3.63
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 4835 d)
Locations
  • Journal of Cardiovascular Electrophysiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL050537, HL50537)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac electrophysiology and arrhythmias
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Arrhythmias and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac pacing and defibrillation studies
Keywords
cardiac reentry, atrioventricular node, reentrant circuit, slow conduction, refractory period
MeSH terms
Animals, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Heart, Humans, Refractory Period, Electrophysiological, Tachycardia, Atrioventricular Nodal Reentry, Tachycardia, Sinoatrial Nodal Reentry, Anisotropy

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