Cadmium Feeding: Apparent Depression of Atrioventricular‐His‐Purkinje Conduction System

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Abstract
Male rats were exposed to 0, 10 and 130 ppm Cd administered in 0.5% saline drinking water for 71 days. Biweekly records of ECG, Hct [hematocrit], body weight and blood levels of Cd were made. Rats exposed to 130 ppm Cd showed slower growth rates and declining Hct indicative of acute Cd poisoning. At the end of the experimental period, carotid artery blood pressures and whole heart Cd levels were determined. Although no significant blood pressure changes were observed in the experimental groups, the Cd content of the hearts of the higher dose group was significantly higher than in the hearts of the lower dose group. The PR interval of the ECG was lengthened progressively and to the same extent in both experimental groups with continued Cd feeding. These experiments offer evidence that the accumulation of even moderate amounts of Cd will be manifested in marked changes in cardiac conduction without overt signs of Cd poisoning.