THE EFFECT OF CHANGES OF pH ON THE CARDIAC ACTION CURRENT

Abstract

Excised turtle hearts, while spontaneously beating, were perfused with solutions whose pH value varied from 3.0 to 9.6. By means of non-polarizable electrodes attached to the heart, electrocardiographic records were taken during the perfusion. Electrocardiographic evidence was obtained that heart rate and conduction rate are more rapid in alkaline solutions; that T and R waves are reversible when the solution changes from acid to alkaline. The reversal occurred at about 7.4. Waves similar to a complete electrocardiogram are obtainable from isolated auricular and ventricular tissue.