[Experimental induction of sino-auricular blocks on isolated atria. Microelectrode study of the effects of bepridil]

The effects of bepridil on sinoatrial conduction were studied by perfusing 15 isolate rabbit right atrial preparations. In a preliminary series an increase in cycle length was observed with a dose-dependent effect with concentrations of between 5 X 10(-7) M and 1 X 10(-5) M. At the latter dose, sinoatrial block was observed. Bepridil was therefore used in a series of 10 preparations to induce sinoatrial block (SAB). After 10 minutes perfusion the cycle length increased significantly (14.3%, p less than 0.02). In 4 preparations SAB occurred 18.7 +/- 2.5 minutes after the onset of the perfusion. Sinoatrial block did not occur in 6 cases and in 4 cases an intrasinus shift of the dominant pacemaker was observed. The types of SAB observed were varied and their mechanisms were complex. Different types of SAB occurred in the same preparation. The different types of block recorded were: Blumberger type I SAB, anterograde 2/1 SAB, intrasinus 2/1 block, retrograde 2/1 and advanced block, complete atrio-sinusal dissociation.