MYOCARDIAL TRANSFER OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM: EFFECT OF ACETYL STROPHANTHIDIN IN NORMAL DOGS 12

Abstract
The cardiac arterio-venous difference of Na and K were used as a measure of their myocardial exchange after rapid infusion of strophanthidin in 8 intact anesthetized dogs. There was an abrupt rise in coronary venous K and concurrent fall in Na. The net exchange indicated a larger uptake of Na, than release of K by the myocardium. Control values were regained after 30 minutes. A decline in stroke work of the left ventricle occurred, possibly related to the ionic changes.