Abstract
Summary
Mercuhydrin uniformly caused conduction delays in the A-V node and ventricles of the isolated rabbit heart. Electrical systole (Q-T interval) was likewise prolonged, and failure of A-V conduction (dropped beats) produced at lower than usual rates of stimulation-all at doses above 36 mg of mercury/kg of heart weight. Rapid cardiac asystole resulted from doses above 75 mg of mercury/kg of heart weight. Preliminary BAL, ascorbic acid, and thiamin, in descending order of efficacy, raised the blocking and cardiolethal dosages of mercuhydrin, and the same drugs administered following the mercurial compound partially reversed the cardiac effects measured. Theophylline ethylene diamine and epinephrine exhibited lesser cardio-protective activity. Magnesium sulphate and niacin had none.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.