THE EFFECT OF PAPAVERINE, EPINEPHRINE AND QUINIDINE ON THE FIBRILLATION THRESHOLD OF THE MAMMALIAN VENTRICLES

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

The effect of several drugs on the sensitivity of the dog's ventricle to fibrillation has been quantitatively determined by the fibrillation threshold determination method. It was previously found that procaine hydrochloride increases the fibrillation threshold, whereas digitalis and ouabain in therapeutic dose do not alter it. To the effect of these drugs we may now add that:

1. Papaverine hydrochloride raises the fibrillation threshold significantly and for a significant length of time. If administered too rapidly or in too large doses, it may induce a ventricular fibrillation of a very coarse type, similar to the type of fibrillation induced by toxic doses of digitalis or ouabain.

2. Epinephrine raises the fibrillation threshold very significantly, but for a short time.

3. Quinidine sulfate raises the fibrillation threshold significantly and for a significant length of time. When quinidine sulfate is administered too quickly or in too large a dose, it may produce a ventricular fibrillation similar in type to that produced by digitalis, ouabain and papaverine hydrochloride.

4. If quinidine and papaverine are given in such dose or in such a way that they produce a significant drop in blood pressure, the useful effect of raising the fibrillation threshold is neutralized and they may even actually decrease the fibrillation threshold.

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