SCINTIGRAPHIC ESTIMATION OF THE SYMPATHETIC INNERVATION OF THE HEART AND MYOCARDIAL PERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Aim. The aim of the study was to scintigraphically evaluate the condition of sympathetic innervation of myocardium and coronary microcirculation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Material and methods. Totally 40 patients included with CHD II-III functional class and AH III stage. Of those: 15 patients — with paroxysmal AF (PAF), 15 — with long-lasting persistent AF (LPAF) and 10 patients — without any signs of AF. To evaluate the sympathetic activity of the myocardium all patients underwent scintigraphy with 123I-metaiodbenzylguanidine (123I-MIBG). With planary study of myocardium investigation with 123I-MIBG we assessed regionary sympathetic activity by the relation of “Heart/ Mediastinum” (H/M) and speed of indicator washout. Also all participants underwent myocardial scintigraphy with 99mTc-MIBG to measure coronary microcirculation.

Results. Analysis of the data showed that patients with PAF and LPAF the relation of H/M at early and delayed scintigrammes was significantly lower comparing to the same value in the patients without AF (1,57±0,15, 1,54±0,18 vs. 1,82±0,12 on early scintigrammes and 1,47±0,15, 1,46±0,16 vs. 1,83±0,13 on delayed, with p<0,05). Also in PAF and LPAF was significantly higher the velocity of indicator excretion comparing to the group of patients without AF (31,2%±11,5%, 29,4%±10,5% vs. 17,5%±10,3%, resp., p<0,05). By the evaluation of regional sympathetic activity in patients with LPAF the filling defect of 123I-MIBG on early and delayed scintigrammes was significantly higher than in groups with PAF and without AF. In evaluation of coronary microcirculation there were no any significant differences of the perfusion defect among the groups studied.

Conclusion. The study showed that in patients with AF there are the most prominent changes in functional conditions of myocardial sympathetic system comparing to the group without AF. At the same time AF does not lead to significant influence on myocardial flow, and the most significant disorders of regional sympathetic activity are visible in patients with long persistent AF. 

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