Intracardiac electric stimulation in conscious rabbits. A new model for screening membrane-stabilizing antiarrhythmics.
Cardiac arrhythmics were induced in conscious rabbits by intracardiac electric stimulation. The arrhythmic threshold remained constant for a period of more than 6 months. The antiarrhythmic drugs ajmaline, prajmalium, disopyramide, quinidine, lidocaine, propranolol and verapamil, given i.v. or orally, were screened for their threshold-raising potency. Particularly the membrane-stabilizing antiarrhythmics showed significant effects. The model may constitute a useful screen for such drugs in the conscious animal.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical / Q000379:methods; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008566:Membranes / Q000187:drug effects; D008954:Models, Biological; D011817:Rabbits; D013997:Time Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents