Correlation between the high-frequency content of the QRS on murine surface electrocardiogram and the sympathetic nerves density in left ventricle after myocardial infarction: Experimental study

J Electrocardiol. 2017 May-Jun;50(3):323-331. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2017.01.014. Epub 2017 Feb 3.

Abstract

Denervated post-infarct scar is arrhythmogenic. Our aim was to compare QRS frequency content in denervated and innervated left ventricular (LV) scar. In-vivo single lead ECG telemetry device was implanted in 17 heterozygous PTPσ (HET) and 7 lacking PTPσ (KO) transgenic mice. Myocardial infarction (MI) with reperfusion and sham surgery was performed. HET mice developed a denervated scar, whereas KO mice developed innervated scar. The power spectral density was used to assess the QRS frequency content. Denervated as compared to innervated post-MI scar was characterized by the higher relative contribution of 300-500 Hz (14 ± 1 vs. 9 ± 1%; P = 0.001) but reduced relative contribution of 200-300 Hz (86 ± 1 vs. 91 ± 1%; P = 0.001). Norepinephrine concentration in peri-infarct zone correlated with both 1-200 Hz (r = 0.75; P = 0.03) and 200-500 Hz QRS power (r = 0.73; P = 0.04). Sympathetic fiber density within the infarct correlated with 200-300/200-500 Hz QRS power ratio (r = 0.56; P = 0.005). Intracellular sigma peptide injections in post-MI HET mice restored the QRS power.

Keywords: Electrocardiogram; Post-myocardial infarction scar; Sympathetic nervous system.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Female
  • Heart Conduction System / physiopathology*
  • Heart Ventricles / innervation*
  • Heart Ventricles / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / physiopathology*
  • Myocardial Stunning / etiology
  • Myocardial Stunning / physiopathology*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / pathology
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology*