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Science 20 April 1979:
Vol. 204. no. 4390, pp. 321 - 323
DOI: 10.1126/science.219481
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Articles

Science, Vol 204, Issue 4390, 321-323
Copyright © 1979 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Localization of the neurally mediated arrhythmogenic properties of digitalis

JC Somberg and TW Smith

Available evidence suggests that the propensity of digitalis glycosides to produce cardiac arrhythmias is due in part to their neuroexictatory effects. We have performed experiments in cats which support the existence of a neurogenic component in the etiology of digitalis-induced ventricular arrhythmias. Our data further indicate that the locus of this neural effect lies within an area of the medulla 2 millimeters above to 2 millimeters below the obex. These findings, when considered with the effects of polar cardiac glycosides that do not cross the blood-brain barrier, suggest that the area postrema may be the site of neural activation.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Patterns of Neuronal Activation During Development of Sodium Sensitive Hypertension in SHR.
A. S. Budzikowski, F. Vahid-Ansari, G. S. Robertson, and F. H. H. Leenen (1997)
Hypertension 30, 1572-1577
   Abstract »    Full Text »
Neurocardiology: An Interdisciplinary Area for the 80s.
B. H. Natelson (1985)
Arch Neurol 42, 178-184
   Abstract »    PDF »
Formed Visual Hallucinations as Digitalis Toxicity.
B. T. VOLPE and R. SOAVE (1979)
Ann Intern Med 91, 865-866
   Abstract »    PDF »


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