CHANGES IN ATRIAL RATE DURING AND FOLLOWING VENTRICULAR ARREST FROM ACETYLCHOLINE INJECTIONS INTO THE ATRIOVENTRICULAR NODE ARTERY OF THE DOG

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Abstract
During ventricular arrest obtained by injections of acetylcholine into the canine atrioventricular node artery, atrial acceleration of variable magnitude was observed. Upon return of ventricular activity a marked slowing of atrial rate was usually noted, followed by a gradual return to the initial sinus rhythm. Similar phenomena were observed with a preparation in which the sinus node was destroyed and its activity simulated by an electronic relaxation oscillator coupled to the heart in a closed-loop fashion. Model experiments with two interacting relaxation oscillators suggested that atrial acceleration during ventricular arrest, and atrial slowing during the return of ventricular activity, were governed by some sort of feedback from ventricles to sinus node.