Content area
Abstract
Six anesthetized dogs (17-25 kg) were used to test the hypotheses that low-frequency, left-vagal stimulation can be used to reduce or eliminate pulse deficit during atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation was induced and sustained by rapid electrical stimulation of the right atrium using a J-lead placed in the right atrial appendage. A bipolar sleeve electrode was placed around the left vagus nerve in the cervical region and low-frequency 1-ms rectangular current pulses were applied. Pulse deficit was completely eliminated in 28 of the 29 trials and was reduced in all 29. Additionally, an increase in mean blood pressure was observed at the commencement of vagal stimulation and a decrease in mean blood pressure was observed after cessation of left vagal stimulation, when the pulse deficit reappeared. We conclude that controlled low-frequency left vagal stimulation is an effective way to eliminate the pulse deficit in atrial fibrillation.