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Controlled intermittent asystole: pharmacologic potentiation of vagal-induced asystole. 1998

B L Bufkin, and J D Puskas, and J Vinten-Johansen, and S T Shearer, and R A Guyton
Department of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Carlyle Fraser Heart Center, Crawford Long Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia 30365-2225, USA.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft operations have, to date, displayed a higher rate of early graft failure than conventional coronary artery bypass procedures using extracorporeal technology. Construction of the coronary artery anastomosis on a beating heart versus a quiescent heart is likely an important factor in this difference between the two approaches. Controlled intermittent asystole induced by vagal stimulation to give transient nonchemically induced asystole for brief intervals sufficient for placement of coronary artery sutures might improve the precision of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft anastomoses and reduce graft failure while increasing the technical ease of operation. METHODS The feasibility of producing transient, reversible asystole with combined vagus nerve stimulation and treatment with a pharmacologic regimen of (1) an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (pyridostigmine, 0.5 mg/kg), (2) a beta-adrenergic receptor blocker (propranolol, 80 microg/kg), and (3) a calcium-channel blocker (verapamil, 50 microg/kg) was studied in a sheep model. Seven animals underwent right vagus nerve stimulation in two modes: (1) a single continuous 60-second impulse and (2) multiple sequential 15-second impulses. RESULTS Vagal stimulation alone achieved bradycardia without consistent and reproducible cardiac arrest. After drug administration 6 animals displayed significant potentiation of vagal-induced asystole in the 60-second stimulation protocol (1.6+/-0.9 seconds non-drug-treated versus 52.0+/-5.6 seconds drug-treated; p < 0.05). In the sequential 15-second impulse protocol after drug treatment, 6 animals achieved consistent, escape-free asystole during five to six sequential 15-second stimulations versus a brief pause and bradycardia produced without drug treatment. CONCLUSIONS Increased acetylcholine activity by acetylcholinesterase inhibition and prevention of electromechanical escape activity by beta-adrenergic receptor and calcium-channel blockade during vagal stimulation produced a marked potentiation of vagal-induced asystole and a means of achieving controlled intermittent asystole. Controlled intermittent asystole achieved by pharmacologic potentiation of vagal-induced asystole may be a useful technique for enhancing technical ease in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass graft operations.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011433 Propranolol A widely used non-cardioselective beta-adrenergic antagonist. Propranolol has been used for MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; ARRHYTHMIA; ANGINA PECTORIS; HYPERTENSION; HYPERTHYROIDISM; MIGRAINE; PHEOCHROMOCYTOMA; and ANXIETY but adverse effects instigate replacement by newer drugs. Dexpropranolol,AY-20694,Anaprilin,Anapriline,Avlocardyl,Betadren,Dociton,Inderal,Obsidan,Obzidan,Propanolol,Propranolol Hydrochloride,Rexigen,AY 20694,AY20694,Hydrochloride, Propranolol
D011729 Pyridostigmine Bromide A cholinesterase inhibitor with a slightly longer duration of action than NEOSTIGMINE. It is used in the treatment of myasthenia gravis and to reverse the actions of muscle relaxants. Mestinon,Pyridostigmine,Bromide, Pyridostigmine
D002121 Calcium Channel Blockers A class of drugs that act by selective inhibition of calcium influx through cellular membranes. Calcium Antagonists, Exogenous,Calcium Blockaders, Exogenous,Calcium Channel Antagonist,Calcium Channel Blocker,Calcium Channel Blocking Drug,Calcium Inhibitors, Exogenous,Channel Blockers, Calcium,Exogenous Calcium Blockader,Exogenous Calcium Inhibitor,Calcium Channel Antagonists,Calcium Channel Blocking Drugs,Exogenous Calcium Antagonists,Exogenous Calcium Blockaders,Exogenous Calcium Inhibitors,Antagonist, Calcium Channel,Antagonists, Calcium Channel,Antagonists, Exogenous Calcium,Blockader, Exogenous Calcium,Blocker, Calcium Channel,Blockers, Calcium Channel,Calcium Blockader, Exogenous,Calcium Inhibitor, Exogenous,Channel Antagonist, Calcium,Channel Blocker, Calcium,Inhibitor, Exogenous Calcium
D002800 Cholinesterase Inhibitors Drugs that inhibit cholinesterases. The neurotransmitter ACETYLCHOLINE is rapidly hydrolyzed, and thereby inactivated, by cholinesterases. When cholinesterases are inhibited, the action of endogenously released acetylcholine at cholinergic synapses is potentiated. Cholinesterase inhibitors are widely used clinically for their potentiation of cholinergic inputs to the gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder, the eye, and skeletal muscles; they are also used for their effects on the heart and the central nervous system. Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor,Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors,Anti-Cholinesterase,Anticholinesterase,Anticholinesterase Agent,Anticholinesterase Agents,Anticholinesterase Drug,Cholinesterase Inhibitor,Anti-Cholinesterases,Anticholinesterase Drugs,Anticholinesterases,Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Irreversible,Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Reversible,Agent, Anticholinesterase,Agents, Anticholinesterase,Anti Cholinesterase,Anti Cholinesterases,Drug, Anticholinesterase,Drugs, Anticholinesterase,Inhibitor, Acetylcholinesterase,Inhibitor, Cholinesterase,Inhibitors, Acetylcholinesterase,Inhibitors, Cholinesterase,Inhibitors, Irreversible Cholinesterase,Inhibitors, Reversible Cholinesterase,Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors,Reversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D005240 Feasibility Studies Studies to determine the advantages or disadvantages, practicability, or capability of accomplishing a projected plan, study, or project. Feasibility Study,Studies, Feasibility,Study, Feasibility
D006321 Heart The hollow, muscular organ that maintains the circulation of the blood. Hearts
D000319 Adrenergic beta-Antagonists Drugs that bind to but do not activate beta-adrenergic receptors thereby blocking the actions of beta-adrenergic agonists. Adrenergic beta-antagonists are used for treatment of hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, glaucoma, migraine headaches, and anxiety. Adrenergic beta-Antagonist,Adrenergic beta-Receptor Blockader,Adrenergic beta-Receptor Blockaders,beta-Adrenergic Antagonist,beta-Adrenergic Blocker,beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agent,beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents,beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blockader,beta-Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonist,beta-Blockers, Adrenergic,beta-Adrenergic Antagonists,beta-Adrenergic Blockers,beta-Adrenoceptor Antagonists,Adrenergic beta Antagonist,Adrenergic beta Antagonists,Adrenergic beta Receptor Blockader,Adrenergic beta Receptor Blockaders,Adrenergic beta-Blockers,Agent, beta-Adrenergic Blocking,Agents, beta-Adrenergic Blocking,Antagonist, beta-Adrenergic,Antagonist, beta-Adrenoceptor,Antagonists, beta-Adrenergic,Antagonists, beta-Adrenoceptor,Blockader, Adrenergic beta-Receptor,Blockader, beta-Adrenergic Receptor,Blockaders, Adrenergic beta-Receptor,Blockaders, beta-Adrenergic Receptor,Blocker, beta-Adrenergic,Blockers, beta-Adrenergic,Blocking Agent, beta-Adrenergic,Blocking Agents, beta-Adrenergic,Receptor Blockader, beta-Adrenergic,Receptor Blockaders, beta-Adrenergic,beta Adrenergic Antagonist,beta Adrenergic Antagonists,beta Adrenergic Blocker,beta Adrenergic Blockers,beta Adrenergic Blocking Agent,beta Adrenergic Blocking Agents,beta Adrenergic Receptor Blockader,beta Adrenergic Receptor Blockaders,beta Adrenoceptor Antagonist,beta Adrenoceptor Antagonists,beta Blockers, Adrenergic,beta-Antagonist, Adrenergic,beta-Antagonists, Adrenergic,beta-Receptor Blockader, Adrenergic,beta-Receptor Blockaders, Adrenergic
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
D001026 Coronary Artery Bypass Surgical therapy of ischemic coronary artery disease achieved by grafting a section of saphenous vein, internal mammary artery, or other substitute between the aorta and the obstructed coronary artery distal to the obstructive lesion. Aortocoronary Bypass,Bypass, Coronary Artery,Bypass Surgery, Coronary Artery,Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting,Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery,Aortocoronary Bypasses,Artery Bypass, Coronary,Artery Bypasses, Coronary,Bypass, Aortocoronary,Bypasses, Aortocoronary,Bypasses, Coronary Artery,Coronary Artery Bypasses

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