Simulation of cardiac hypopolarization arrhythmias and evaluation of cardiomyocyte membrane hypopolarization in experimental animals

Abstract

A method for simulating cardiac hypopolarization arrhythmias was developed in order to study changes in cardiomyocyte membrane hypopolarization under the effects of antiarrhythmics and other drugs. The method is based on registration of K(+)-induced arrhythmias after intravenous injection of a minimum arrhythmogenic dose of 1.5% KCl over 2 sec. Atrioventricular and intraventricular blockades without arrhythmias are recorded in first-degree membrane hypopolarization. The same changes and cardiac arrhythmias are characteristic of second-degree hypopolarization. Third degree is associated with transitory cardioplegia, fourth degree with heart arrest and animal death.