In this study, an atrial fibrillation rat model induced by ischemic stroke was established. Optical mapping technology was employed to detect action potentials and calcium transient signals in different model groups, including electrophysiological properties such as action potential duration, calcium transient duration, conduction heterogeneity, and spatially discordant alternans. The findings revealed that abnormalities in the cholinergic receptor-mediated calcium signaling pathway are a key pathogenic mechanism of SHS. Additionally, it was discovered that the antiarrhythmic compound traditional Chinese medicine Wenxin Granule can effectively reverse the occurrence of this syndrome, providing new insights for both fundamental research and therapeutic approaches to cardiocerebral syndrome.

(A) Timeline of the MCAO operation, drug treatment, and the following ex vivo cardiac optical mapping. (B) Representative ECG recordings of isolated heart during sinus rhythm. (C) Representative images of conduction in Sham, Model, WK-L, WK-M, WK-H and Met groups under the burst pacing at S1S1. (D) AERP/APD of each group. (E) Statistical results of AF duration in each group. Values were expressed as mean ± SD (n=3-5, *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, Model vs. Sham; #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01, Model vs. WK). (F) Incidence of atrial ectopy or fibrillation for each S1 interval. (G) Sinus node recovery duration of each group under different stimulation frequencies (100-50 ms). Values were expressed as mean ± SD (n=3-5, *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01, Model vs. Sham; #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01, Model vs. WK-L; ▲P < 0.05 and ▲▲P < 0.01, Model vs. WK-M; ★P < 0.05 and ★★P < 0.01, Model vs. WK-H; ◆P < 0.05 and ◆◆P < 0.01, Model vs. Met).

Theranostics (IF13.3)

DOI: 10.7150/thno.99065