Acute effects of quinidine on K exchange and distribution in the dog ventricle

Abstract

Some of the effects of quinidine on potassium metabolism and gas exchange were studied in the isolated perfused dog heart. The major changes found were an increase in cell K and transcellular K exchange, and a decrease in oxygen consumption and respiratory quotient. The increase in K exchange was apparently due to an increased resting potential potassium exchange with little or no alteration in exchange during the action potential. The accumulation of cell K seemed to be dependent mainly on an initial resting phase increase in potassium influx.