Insulin mitigates acute ischemia induced atrial fibrillation and sinoatrial node dysfunction ex vivo

Acute atrial ischemia is a well-known cause of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). However, the cellular and electrophysiological mechanisms through which ischemia contributes to the development of POAF are not well understood. Administering insulin 30 minutes before ischemia and during reperfusion with 25 minutes of ischemia greatly reduced the vulnerability to AF.