THE PRODUCTION OF ATRIOVENTRICULAR RHYTHM IN MAN AFTER THE ADMINISTRATION OF ATROPIN

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Atrioventricular rhythm has been investigated in the experimental animal by a large number of observers. Among these are Lewis,¹ Zahn,² Williams and James,³ Ganter and Zahn,⁴ Meakins,⁵ Rothberger and Winterberg,⁶ Eyster and Meek,⁷ and others. It has usually been produced experimentally by slowing the rate at which the impulses are sent out from the sino-auricular node or by preventing the spread of such impulses to other parts of the heart. The following methods have been employed for this purpose: (1) cooling the sinus node with an ice pencil or by means of the ethyl chlorid spray, (2) crushing or excising the sinus node, or (3) isolating the sinus node by making cuts about it. Atrioventricular rhythm has also been produced by stimulation of the right vagus¹,⁷ and by stimulation of the left accelerator.⁶ We shall not discuss these observations