Reversal of Digitalis Intoxication by Beta-Adrenergic Blockade with Pronethalol

Abstract

THERE is considerable evidence implicating sympathoadrenal stimuli in the production of arrhythmias by digitalis glycosides. Experimentally, the production of ventricular arrhythmias by digitalis is increased by sympathomimetic drugs¹ and delayed by interruption of cardiac sympathetic stimuli, either by surgical sympathetic ablation² or by depletion of myocardial norepinephrine by reserpine.³ The adrenergic receptors of the cardiovascular system are separable pharmacologically into two groups, the alpha receptors, which convey peripheral vasoconstriction, and the beta receptors, which convey cardiac inotropic and chronotropic actions and peripheral arteriolar vasodilatation.⁴ It follows that blockade of beta receptors would interrupt cardiac sympathetic stimuli, and might be effective . . .