Digitalis and vagal stimulation during atrial fibrillation: effects on atrioventricular conduction and ventricular arrhythmias

The magnitude of vagal depression of AV conduction in dogs with atrial fibrillation is enhanced by increasing doses of digitalis. For this reason, a decrease of ventricular rate with vagal stimulation cannot be used as evidence that additional digitalis can or should be administered. Vagal stimulati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cardiovascular research 1973-03, Vol.7 (2), p.241-246
Main Authors: GREENSPAN, KALMAN, LORD, THOMAS J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac - chemically induced
Atrial Fibrillation - drug therapy
Cardiac Complexes, Premature - chemically induced
Digitalis Glycosides - therapeutic use
Digitalis Glycosides - toxicity
Dogs
Electric Stimulation
Heart Conduction System - drug effects
Heart Ventricles - drug effects
Tachycardia - chemically induced
Vagus Nerve - physiopathology
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Summary:The magnitude of vagal depression of AV conduction in dogs with atrial fibrillation is enhanced by increasing doses of digitalis. For this reason, a decrease of ventricular rate with vagal stimulation cannot be used as evidence that additional digitalis can or should be administered. Vagal stimulation, by inhibiting atrial impulses from reaching the ventricles, may unmask digitalis toxicity in the form of enhanced His-Purkinje automaticity.
ISSN:0008-6363
1755-3245
DOI:10.1093/cvr/7.2.241