Aging‐Related Increase to Inducible Atrial Fibrillation in the Rat Model

INTRODUCTION: Aging is associated with atrial interstitial fibrosis and increased incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). We hypothesized that aged rats are suitable for study of aging-related AF and that partial atrial cellular uncoupling induced with heptanol in young rats mimics aging-related AF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Interatrial conduction time and atrial response to burst atrial pacing were evaluated in 11 young (2-3 months) and 12 old (22-24 months) male rats (Fisher 344) in the Langendorff-perfused setting. At baseline, sustained (>30 sec) atrial tachycardia (AT) and AF were induced in 10 of 12 and in 7 of 12 old rats, respectively. No such arrhythmias could be induced in the young rats. Old rats had significantly (P < 0.01) longer interatrial conduction time and P wave durations than the young rats. Burst pacing failed to induce AT and AF in all 11 young rats studied. The effects of heptanol 2 to 10 microM were studied in both groups. Heptanol 2 to 5 microM promoted inducible AT in all 5 young rats studied; however, when its concentration was raised to 10 microM, AT could no longer be induced in any of the 5 young rats. No AF could be induced in any of the 5 young rats at heptanol concentrations of 2 to 10 microM. In the old rats, AF could still be induced during perfusion of 2 microM heptanol. However, when its concentration was raised to 5 and 10 microM, AF could not be induced in any of the 6 old rats studied. Optical mapping using a potentiometric dye showed a periodic single wavefront of activation during AT in both groups and 2 to 4 independent wavefronts propagating in different directions during AF in the old rats. Histology revealed a significant increase in interstitial atrial fibrosis (P < 0.01), atrial cell size (P < 0.05), and heart weight in old versus young rats. Fibrosis in the old rats was highly heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: The rat model is suitable for study of aging-related AF. Uniform partial atrial cellular uncoupling with heptanol perfusion in the young rats, although promoting inducible AT, does not mimic aging-related AF. The results suggest that heterogeneous atrial interstitial fibrosis and atrial cell hypertrophy might contribute to the aging-related increase in atrial conduction slowing, conduction block, and inducible AF in the old rat model.