Autologous Dermal Fibroblast Injections Slow Atrioventricular Conduction and Ventricular Rate in Atrial Fibrillation in Swine

Abstract

Background-Nonpharmacological ventricular rate control in atrial fibrillation (AF) without producing atrioventricular (AV) block remains a clinical challenge. We investigated the hypothesis that autologous dermal fibroblast (ADF) injection into the AV nodal area would reduce ventricular response during AF without causing AV block. Methods and Results-Fourteen pigs underwent electrophysiology study before, immediately, and 28 days after ≈200 million cultured ADFs (n=8) or saline (n=6)

The Janus face of myofibroblasts in the remodeling heart

“…The Askar group also showed that blunting Connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in the MF can have similar anti-arrhythmogenic effects, identifying Cx43 as a potential target for the attenuation of MF-mediated arrhythmogenesis [44]. Interestingly, the injection of autologous dermal fibroblasts into the infarct and peri-infarct areas of pigs following MI was reported to actually reduce ventricular tachycardias [45], while the group recently reported similar results in atrial fibrillation [46], disputing the theory of the "bad MF". It is suggested that the peri-infarct area is of crucial importance for the MF-mediated arrhythmogenesis.…”