Research on the association between central vagus hyperfunction and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Objective To explore the association between central vagus hyperfunction and paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(PAF). Methods The subjects were divided into 4 groups: i. e. the PAF group (50 cases), the cerebral infarction in basal ganglia with PAF group (or the CIBG-PAF group) (50 cases), the normal control group (50 cases), and the vascular Parkinson's disease with PAF group (or the VP-PAF group) (30 cases). The subjects of the 4 groups all underwent heart rate variability and ultrasonic cardiography (UCG) detection and the level of acetylcholine ach (ACH) in plasma was determined by ELISA. Then, statistical analyses were made accordingly. Results (1)The levels of SDNN, RMSSD and HRV in the VP-PAF group were lower than those of the other 3 groups, and the levels of LF/HF were also lower than those of the other 3 groups. Statistical significance could be noted, when comparisons were made between the two(P<0.05). Statistical significance could also be noticed, when the CIBG-PAF group was compared with the PAF group and the control group(P<0.05). As compared with the control group, the levels of SDNN and SDANN in the PAF group were decreased and the levels of LF/HF were increased, and statistical significance could also be seen, when comparisons were made between them(P<0.05). (2) There was statistical difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and left atrium inner diameter in the subjects of the 4 groups(P<0.05). (3) The level of ACH in the patients of the VP-PAF group [(814±301)ng/L] was higher than those of the other 3 groups [CIBG-PAF group: (673±218) ng/L; PAF group: (534±195) ng/L; Control group: (313±112) ng/L] (P<0.05), and statistical significance could be seen when comparisons were made between them(P<0.05). The level of ACH in the CIBG-PAF group was higher than those of the PAF group and control group, and statistical significance could be found when comparisons were made between them(P<0.05). However, statistical significance was not shown when comparisons were made between the PAF group and the control group (P<0.05). In the PAF group, close association was noticed in the levels of SDNN, SDANN, RMSSD, PNN50 as well as ACH in the plasma, also with statistical significance(P<0.05). Conclusions Cerebral infarction in basal ganglia could induce hyperfunction of exogenous central vagus nerve and was also one of the direct causes of PAF. Key words: Vascular cerebral basal ganglia; Cerebral infarction; Central vagus nerve; Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation