Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Use of a Hanging Weight System for Coronary Artery Occlusion in Mice
Published on: April 19, 2011
Antifibrillatory effects of volatile anesthetics in acute occlusion/reperfusion arrhythmias
Abstract:
Halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane were evaluated for antifibrillatory efficacy and compared with lidocaine, propranolol, procainamide, and verapamil in a canine acute left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery occlusion/reperfusion model with basal pentobarbital anesthesia. Of the antiarrhythmic drugs, only verapamil prevented ventricular fibrillation during occlusion and reperfusion. Halothane 1% inspired after 15 min showed similar protection. Enflurane 2.5% inspired after 15 min resulted in significant protection but caused hypotension after occlusion in 4 of 17 dogs. Isoflurane 1.7% inspired after 15 min showed intermediate results. At inspired concentrations of 0.5% and 1.25%, respectively, halothane and enflurane protected against ventricular fibrillation without hypotension. It is concluded that the volatile anesthetics have antifibrillatory effects in this canine model but differ in their ability to cause hypotension in the presence of proximal LAD coronary artery occlusion.
Related Concept Videos
Local Anesthetics: Adverse Effects
Once absorbed into the systemic circulation, local anesthetics can affect the organs that depend on the functioning of sodium...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers
Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias

