Experimental coronary occlusion in calves: the effect of hyperglycaemia on ventricular fibrillation threshold

Measurements of ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) were made in two groups of bovine calves, each weighing 25 to 30 kg, before and after ligation of the anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. In the control group, the VFT was determined before occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery, and the observations were repeated at 20-minute intervals after occlusion. A 33% reduction in VFT was observed 20 minutes after the occlusion. Prior loading with glucose by infusion of 100 ml of 10% glucose prevented the significant fall in VFT.