Effects of Digitalis on the Functional Refractory Period of the AV Node: Studies in Awake Dogs with and without Cardiac Denervation

Abstract

Experiments on dogs revealed that cardiac vagotomy attenuates, and total cardiac denervation abolishes the effects of digitalis on the functional refractory period of the AV node (FRPAVN). These studies indicate that an anti-adrenergic influence of digitalis contributes importantly to its action on the FRPAVN.