Prevention of Ventricular Fibrillation During Profound Hypothermia by Quinidine*

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Abstract
In a series of dogs with the esophageal temperatures reduced from 5° to 10° C. by core cooling with a pump oxygenator and heat-exchanger system, ventricular fibrillation has been consistently prevented by the intravenous infusion of quinidine. The mechanism for the development of ventricular fibrillation during profound hypothermia and the action of quinidine in preventing this arrhythmia is discussed. Eleven dogs with complete circulatory arrest of up to one hour were permitted to survive and did so.