Role of Potassium in Cyclopropane-Epinephrine Ventricular Tachycardia

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Of 26 dogs protected or partially protected from cyclopropane-epinephrine ventricular tachycardia by portal caval shunt 17 exhibited ventricular tachycardia when tested with epinephrine plus KC1. The technique of KC1 administration was such as to mimic the arterial plasma K+ rise in response to epinephrine alone in animals with intact hepatic circulation. It is concluded that the hyperkalemic response of epinephrine is a contributing factor in the production of cyclopropane-epinephrine ventricular tachycardia in a large percentage of animals.