Effect of Coronary Perfusion of Prostigmine on Ventricular Fibrillation in the Hypothermic Dog.

Abstract

Dogs under general hypothermia at 26[degree] were hyperventilated with pure O2 and the chest was opened. Circulation to the heart was arrested, and a ventricular incision with closure was used as a stimulant to induce ventricular fibrillations. The 23 control dogs incurred fibrillation. Prostigmine given in the open circulation during cooling to 15 dogs, reduced the incidence 50%. Sixteen dogs given prostigmine by coronary perfusion incurred no fibrillation. Acetylcholine given in 3 dogs by continuous coronary perfusion and then catheterized incurred no fibrillation. It is felt that the antifibrillatory effect of prostigmine is probably due to accumulation of acetylcholine.