Production by Digitalis of T-Wave Changes Similar to Those of Coronary Occlusion.

Abstract

The T-wave change which occurs with clinical coronary occlusion 1 was recently confirmed by experimental coronary occlusion in the cat. 2 It was suggested at that time that it might be possible to produce this characteristic peculiarity of the T-wave by some means other than coronary occlusion. In the course of another investigation we have found this type of T-wave to occur in the cat after the administration of digitalis.

Figure 1 shows a control electrocardiogram before the administration of digitalis. When a little over one-half the lethal dose had been injected into the cat, and electrocardiogram such as Figure 2 was obtained. This tracing definitely shows a T-wave coming off the S-wave before the base line is reached. Except for the fact that the T-wave comes off the S-wave instead of the R, it is precisely the type of curve described as characteristic of left coronary occlusion.

This type of T-wave is by no means the normal type produced by digitalis, but it is interesting to note that digitalis can produce it.