Failing Hearts Are More Vulnerable to Sympathetic, but Not Vagal Stimulation-Induced, Atrial Fibrillation-Ameliorated with Dantrolene Treatment

Failing hearts are less sensitive to VS, but more vulnerable to SS-induced AF compared with normal-control hearts. Dantrolene can significantly attenuate SS-enhanced AF in HF, indicating that cardiac ryanodine receptor dysfunction may play a critical role in SS-enhanced AF in HF, and stabilizing leaky ryanodine receptor with the use of dantrolene may be a new treatment option in this condition.