The influence of dichloroiso-proterenol (DCI) and related compounds upon ouabain and acetylstrophanthidin induced cardiac arrhythmias.

Abstract

Several investigators have reported on the ability of DCI to prevent a variety of cardiac arrhythmias in which sympathomimetic amines in conjunction with other agents were used to induce the cardiac disturbance. In the present investigation it has been demonstrated that DCI and several related dichlorophenyl substituted compounds can restore normal cardiac rhythm in hearts intoxicated with either acetylstrophanthidin or ouabain. Similar results were obtained with in vitro and in vivo preparations. From the present study it appears that DCI possesses an antiarrhythmic action which is independent of its ability to block beta adrenergic receptors. The significance of the dichloro substitution on the phenyl ring of sympathomimetic amines is discussed. The mechanism by which DCI restores normal cardiac rhythm following toxic doses of acetylstrophanthidin or ouabain is not known.