This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by James, R. Articles by Shanks, R. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by James, R. Articles by Shanks, R. G.

Circulation, Vol 55, 311-317, Copyright © 1977 by American Heart Association

ARTICLES

The effects of heart rate, myocardial ischemia and vagal stimulation on the threshold for ventricular fibrillation

RGG James, JMO Arnold, JD Allen, JF Pantridge and RG Shanks

The minimum current required to cause ventricular fibrillation was determined by electrical stimulation of the normal or ischemic canine left ventricle. The threshold for ventricular fibrillation in the normal heart decreased when the heart rate was rapid. Strong vagal stimulation did not affect the ventricular fibrillation threshold when the heart rate was fixed. The fall in the ventricular fibrillation threshold in the presence of acute myocardial ischemia was greater and more prolonged when the heart rate was rapid. These findings indicate the importance of the immediate correction of tachycardia in patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				B.N. Singh Increased heart rate as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease Eur. Heart J. Suppl., September 1, 2003; 5(suppl_G): G3 - G9. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. F Aupetit, D. Frassati, B. Bui-Xuan, M. Freysz, G. Faucon, and Q. Timour Efficacy of a {beta}-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol, in preventing ischaemic ventricular fibrillation: dependence on heart rate and ischaemia duration Cardiovasc Res, March 1, 1998; 37(3): 646 - 655. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y. S. Tuininga, H. J.G.M. Crijns, J. Brouwer, M. P. van den Berg, A. J. Man in't Veld, G. Mulder, and K.I. Lie Evaluation of Importance of Central Effects of Atenolol and Metoprolol Measured by Heart Rate Variability During Mental Performance Tasks, Physical Exercise, and Daily Life in Stable Postinfarct Patients Circulation, December 15, 1995; 92(12): 3415 - 3423. [Abstract] [Full Text]