Abstract
Pentylenetetrazol, picrotoxin, and intracerebral deslanoside elicited in dogs under succinylcholine EEG convulsive seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, and blood pressure changes. These reactions are central in origin, and the cardiovascular responses are mediated via both vagal and sympathetic systems, with the former dominating. Cardiac arrhythmias can be converted to supraventricular (possibly sinus) tachycardia in about 50% of cases by vagotomy alone or by administration of central anticholinergic drug, such as ethybenztropine. Cardiac arrhythmias can be completely prevented or converted to normal sinus rhythm by combining the above procedures with sympathectomy, low cervical spinal transection or administration of Hydergine.
With these central stimulant drugs, the animals generally exhibited marked hypertension, which is more difficult to prevent than the cardiac arrhythmic responses. The blood pressure would fall in animals without functional sympathetic nervous system. To prevent the blood pressure from deviating significantly from control, both vagal and sympathetic systems have to be eliminated, preferably by surgical means.
Footnotes
- Received February 25, 1963.
- Accepted April 10, 1963.
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