Treatment of Cardiac Arrest and Slow Ventricular Rates in Complete A-V Heart Block

Abstract

Molar and half-molar sodium lactate was efficacious (a) in restoring the heart beat following episodes of cardiac arrest, (b) ventricular standstill occurring during repeated Stokes-Adams seizures and (c) in increasing the idioventricular rate in the presence of complete A-V heart block. The increase in rate was related to the rapidity and amount of injection. These effects were associated with an increase in blood pressure and other evidences of improvement in the clinical state. No ventricular extrasystoles or other dangerous types of ectopic rhythms were observed in these subjects. The possible mechanisms by which the sodium lactate produces these effects are discussed.