Translational implications of bradyarrhythmia in hibernating brown bears

• Published in: Physiological Reports
• Main Authors: Lisa A. Gottlieb, Alina L. Evans, Boris Fuchs, Ole Fröbert, Anna Björkenheim
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: bradyarrhythmia; brown bear; hibernation; sinus arrest; sinus node disease; sinus pause; Physiology; QP1-981; Ursus arctos
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.14814/phy2.15550; https://doaj.org/article/6dc14936e28f494ab445f8c3ec5f05a0

Abstract The brown bear Ursus arctos undergoes exceptional physiological adaptions during annual hibernation that minimize energy consumption, including profound decrease in heart rate, cardiac output, and respiratory rate. These changes are completely reversible after the bears reenter into the active state in spring. In this case report, we show episodes of sinus arrest in a hibernating Scandinavian brown bear and in humans, recorded by implantable loop recorders and discuss the possible underlying mechanisms. Lessons learned from cardiac adaptations in hibernating bears might prove useful in the treatment of patients with sinus node dysfunction.