Biomaterial Database

Morphine suppression of digitalis-induced ventricular arrhythmias. 1987

S W Rabkin, and S Einzig, and D G Benditt

Department of Medicine (Cardiology), University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of morphine on digitalis-induced arrhythmias. Seventeen normokalemic dogs [serum potassium 3.9 +/- 0.3 mEg/L (+/- 1 S.D.)] and 19 hypokalemic dogs (serum potassium 2.2 +/- 0.3 mEg/L) were allocated to a morphine pretreatment group (morphine sulfate 3 mg/kg) or to a control group without morphine. Ouabain was administered by a constant infusion of 150 micrograms/kg/hr following an initial bolus of 20 micrograms/kg until animals developed ventricular tachycardia. In hypokalemic dogs, morphine pretreatment significantly (p less than 0.05) increased the digitalis dose required to initiate ventricular tachyarrhythmias (66 +/- 14 vs 37 +/- 11 micrograms ouabain/kg). In normokalemic dogs morphine did not affect the relationship between digitalis dose and arrhythmias. Thus, morphine pretreatment reduces the tendency for hypokalemia to potentiate digitalis-induced ventricular arrhythmias.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007008	Hypokalemia	Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood. It may result from potassium loss by renal secretion or by the gastrointestinal route, as by vomiting or diarrhea. It may be manifested clinically by neuromuscular disorders ranging from weakness to paralysis, by electrocardiographic abnormalities (depression of the T wave and elevation of the U wave), by renal disease, and by gastrointestinal disorders. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hypopotassemia,Hypokalemias,Hypopotassemias
D008297	Male		Males
D009020	Morphine	The principal alkaloid in opium and the prototype opiate analgesic and narcotic. Morphine has widespread effects in the central nervous system and on smooth muscle.	Morphine Sulfate,Duramorph,MS Contin,Morphia,Morphine Chloride,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Anhydrous,Morphine Sulfate (2:1), Pentahydrate,Oramorph SR,SDZ 202-250,SDZ202-250,Chloride, Morphine,Contin, MS,SDZ 202 250,SDZ 202250,SDZ202 250,SDZ202250,Sulfate, Morphine
D010042	Ouabain	A cardioactive glycoside consisting of rhamnose and ouabagenin, obtained from the seeds of Strophanthus gratus and other plants of the Apocynaceae; used like DIGITALIS. It is commonly used in cell biological studies as an inhibitor of the NA(+)-K(+)-EXCHANGING ATPASE.	Acocantherin,G-Strophanthin,Acolongifloroside K,G Strophanthin
D001794	Blood Pressure	PRESSURE of the BLOOD on the ARTERIES and other BLOOD VESSELS.	Systolic Pressure,Diastolic Pressure,Pulse Pressure,Pressure, Blood,Pressure, Diastolic,Pressure, Pulse,Pressure, Systolic,Pressures, Systolic
D004071	Digitalis Glycosides	Glycosides from plants of the genus DIGITALIS. Some of these are useful as cardiotonic and anti-arrhythmia agents. Included also are semi-synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring glycosides. The term has sometimes been used more broadly to include all CARDIAC GLYCOSIDES, but here is restricted to those related to Digitalis.	Glycosides, Digitalis
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D001145	Arrhythmias, Cardiac	Any disturbances of the normal rhythmic beating of the heart or MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION. Cardiac arrhythmias can be classified by the abnormalities in HEART RATE, disorders of electrical impulse generation, or impulse conduction.	Arrhythmia,Arrythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmias,Cardiac Dysrhythmia,Arrhythmia, Cardiac,Dysrhythmia, Cardiac