Effects of Calcium Channel Blockers on Arachidonate-Induced Sudden Death in Rabbits

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Abstract
The effects of the Ca-channel blockers, nisoldipine and verapamil, on arachidonate-induced sudden death were investigated in rabbits. Sodium arachidonate (2 mg/kg) was injected into the vena cava producing death within 3 min (2.5 .+-. 0.3 min) in all untreated rabbits. Of the rabbits pretreated by nisoldipine (0.2 mg/kg), 75% were protected from arachidonate-induced sudden death, showed inhibition of thromboxane synthesis and the absence of intravascular thrombosis in pulmonary vessels. Verapamil also protected rabbits from sudden death but to a lesser extent than that of nisoldipine. Inhibition of thromboxane synthesis and prevention of platelet-induced pulmonary thrombosis appear to be related to the effects of the Ca channel blockers in arachidonate-induced sudden death.