Tetrahydrobiopterin depletion and NOS2 uncoupling contribute to heart failure-induced alterations in atrial electrophysiology

摘要

AimsHeart failure is a common antecedent to atrial fibrillation; both heart failure and atrial fibrillation are associated with increased myocardial oxidative stress. Chronic canine heart failure reduces atrial action potential duration and atrial refractoriness. We hypothesized that inducible nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) contributes to atrial oxidative stress and electrophysiologic alterations.