THE ABSORPTION OF DRUGS FROM THE RIGHT VENTRICULAR CAVITY

¹ From the Department of Physiology, Western Reserve University Medical School, Cleveland, Ohio

Cat's hearts were perfused with Tyrode solution by use of a modified Langendorff method. Changes in right ventricular pressure recorded optically serve as a criterion for effects produced on the left ventricular myocardium. The perfusion system of the right heart was so arranged that chemicals and drugs introduced directly into the right ventricle were unable to enter the coronary orifices or left ventricle, and were prevented from making contact with the external surface of the heart. Consequently, changes in amplitude, gradient and duration of the left ventricular pressure curves must be attributed to absorption of the drugs or chemicals from the cavity of the right ventricle and to transportation by way of the Thebesian communications.

Records and descriptions of results are presented to show that the introduction of potassium chloride, calcium chloride, epinephrin, strophanthin, ether, chloroform, chloral, ephedrine and quinidine into the cavity of the right ventricle causes stimulating or depressing effects on the left ventricle, which are identical with those of somewhat smaller doses introduced via the aorta and coronary system.

Pharmacologically, the absorption of drugs from the interior of the right ventricle and their transportation to the left ventricle is demonstrated

Physiologically, the importance of the Thebesian communications is extended; through them substances may be absorbed and distributed to various portions of the two ventricles, not only when the coronary supply fails or is deficient, but also while a natural coronary pressure exists.

Therapeutically, intracardiac injections are not only justifiable when other means of medication are hopeless; they even offer considerable promise of being useful in various forms of circulatory failure.