Effect of a Cardiac Glycoside (Cedilanid) on the Sodium and Potassium Balance of the Human Heart

Abstract

Previous studies on the isolated heart have demonstrated that digitalis glycosides can mobilize potassium from the heart muscle. Using catheterization of the coronary sinus of dogs' hearts, it could also be shown that the injection of acetyl strophanthidin results in negative myocardial balances of potassium and in positive balances of sodium. The results described in this report, using Cedilanid in therapeutic dosages, indicate that this glycoside has no effect on the sodium and potassium balance of the human heart. A significant increase in potassium concentration in arterial and coronary sinus blood occurred. The findings suggest that Cedilanid, in therapeutic doses, causes potassium liberation primarily from extracardiac tissues.