Effects of verapamil on postextrasystolic potentiation.

To assess the effects of verapamil on postextrasystolic potentiation (PESP), contrast left ventriculography was performed in ten healthy anesthetized dogs before and after the intravenous administration of verapamil, 0.1 mg/kg. During the contrast ventriculography, a single atrial premature stimulus was introduced. Ejection fractions of a control beat and postpremature beat were measured before and after verapamil. Before verapamil, the mean ejection fractions of the control beat and the postpremature beat were 60 +/- 10 percent and 67 +/- 10 percent, respectively (p less than 0.05). Following the administration of verapamil, the mean ejection fraction of the control beat decreased from 60 +/- 10 percent to 55 +/- 11 percent (p less than 0.05). However, the mean ejection fraction of the postpremature beats increased when compared with the control beats following intravenous verapamil (65 +/- 8 percent and 55 +/- 11 percent, respectively; p less than 0.05). These results suggest that PESP is not inhibited by the administration of intravenous verapamil.

Duke Scholars

Author Michael Hugh Sketch Jr. Medicine, Cardiology