Sinus node responses to perfusion pressure changes, ischaemia and hypothermia in the isolated blood-perfused dog atrium

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Abstract
Sinus node responses to perfusion pressure changes, ischaemia and hypothermia were evaluated in 22 isolated blood-perfused dog atria. Sinus cycle length (SCL) was measured and sinoatrial conduction time (SACT) was estimated using the premature atrial stimulation technique (PAS) and the constant atrial pacing method (CAP). There was a good correlation between the results obtained with both techniques (r=0.8297) but CAP had less depressing action on sinus node automaticity. Increasing the perfusion pressure from 100 to 200 mmHg did not influence estimated SACT nor SCL. However, a reduction in perfusion pressure (from 100 to 50 mmHg) markedly shortened SCL without significantly decreasing estimated SACT. Lowering temperature from 37 to 25°C caused a linear increase in estimated SACT and SCL. Occlusion of the sinus node artery induced a sinus tachycardia which was not blocked by sotalol. Estimated SACT was significantly shorter 1 min after occlusion and longer 3 min after occlusion; this increase was significantly inhibited by atropine infusion. Thus, the increase in estimated SACT seen after occlusion might be related to cholinergic activity. However, the sinus tachycardia following a decrease in perfusion pressure might be due to activation of the stretch-receptors while the one seen after reduction in blood flow and occlusion of the sinus node artery seems more likely to be a consequence of ischaemia.