title: Effect of 4-aminopyridine on cardiovascular functions in the dog.
abstract: The drug 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) at a dose of 0.2 mg . kg-1 body weight intravenously is an effective antagonist of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade. We studied its cardiovascular effects in the canine heart using a right-heart bypass with extracorporeal circulation in seven dogs. This study demonstrates that 4-aminopyridine significantly augments arterial blood pressure, left ventricular dp/dt maximum, as well as left ventricular pressure at dp/dt mx. The highest values were obtained between two and 20 minutes after administration of 4-AP. Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure diminished slightly, but this was not statistically significant. Although the exact mechanism of action of 4-AP is not known, its positive inotropic effects may be of value in the reversal of non-depolarizing neuromuscular blockade in patients with impaired myocardial function of diverse aetiologies and it would be contra-indicated in patients with arterial hypertension and/or coronary artery disease.
mesh_terms: D015761:4-Aminopyridine; D000631:Aminopyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects*; D004285:Dogs; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000631:Aminopyridines; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; D015761:4-Aminopyridine