Atrial fibrillation occurs spontaneously after bradycardia induced by acetylcholine infusion or vagal stimulation. To determine the mechanism of initiation of this tachyarrhythmia, we infused acetylcholine (5 ml, 10(-3.5) M) into Krebs-Henseleit-perfused isolated canine right atria (n = 10). Unipolar electrograms were recorded from 250 sites simultaneously during control rhythms, pacing (cycle ...
