The Antiarrhythmic Effect of Lithium Chloride for Experimental Ouabain-Induced Arrhythmias 1

Abstract

Summary

Epidemiologic studies have shown that residents of hard drinking water areas have a lower mortality due to cardiovascular disease, both in the United States and Britain. It has been postulated that the high lithium content of the hard water may account for this difference by providing a protective effect from lethal arrhythmias. We have studied the effect of iv lithium chloride on ouabain-induced arrhythmias in dogs. The dose required to develop a sustained arrythmia and the total time of the arrhythmia were determined in six dogs. One week later ouabain was given in the same manner to produce a sustained arrhythmia, allowing each dog to serve as its own control. At the onset of the arrhythmia, a continuous infusion of lithium chloride was started (0.5 mEq/min). This resulted in serum levels ranging from 2.6 to 7.8 mEq/liter. The arrhythmia was significantly shortened by administration of the lithium (140 min to 69 min mean; p < 0.005), without significant changes in pH, pO₂, serum Na or K. It is concluded that lithium chloride is capable of significantly shortening ouabain-induced arrhythmias.