The Effects of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate (Petn)* On Atrioventricular Conduction Following Acute Ligation of the Anterior Septal Artery in Dogs

Abstract

Anterior septal artery ligation was performed on 100 healthy dogs in which normal sinus rhythm was present preoperatively. The effects of sustained-action pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) administered orally, beginning before and beginning after ligation, were determined in animals developing ecg evidence of atrioventricular conduction disturbances (partial and complete A-V block, A-V dissociation, A-V nodal rhythm, and idioventricular rhythm) by one day post-ligation and who survived the full 8-day experimental period. These effects were compared with those obtained in a control group of animals which did not receive PETN. Administration of PETN beginning on the 1st day post-ligation (post-operative-PETN group), and after the development of the arrhythmias resulted in no significant change in the course of recovery from the arrhythmias. Administration of PETN beginning 2 days prior to anterior septal artery ligation (preoperative-PETN group) demonstrated: No effect on the incidence of development of arrhythmias by the 1st-day post-ligation. No effect on total % recovery from arrhythmias from the 4th to 8th days post-ligation. A statistically significantly increase in the cumulative % recovery from arrhythmias by the 2nd day post-ligation when compared to those animals not receiving PETN preoperatively.