Ricerc@Sapienza

Objective: The relationship between the autonomic nervous system (ANS) modulation of the sinus node and heart rate variability has been extensively investigated. The current study sought to evaluate, in an animal experimental model of pacing-induced tachycardia congestive heart failure (CHF), a possible ANS influence on the P wave duration and PR interval oscillations. Approach: Short-term (5min) time and frequency domain analysis has been obtained in six dogs for the following electrocardiographic intervals: P wave duration (P), from the onset to peak of P wave (Pp), from the onset of P wave to the q onset (PR) and from the end of P wave to the onset of q wave (PeR). Direct vagal nerve activity (VNA), stellate ganglion nerve activity (SGNA) and electrocardiogram (ECG) intervals have been evaluated contextually by implantation of three bipolar recording leads. Main results: At the baseline, multiple regression analysis pointed out that VNA was strongly positively associated with the standard deviation of PP and PeR intervals (r 2:0.997, p in specific studies.