Effect of salicylate on normal and digoxin-intoxicated isolated rabbit heart

The action of sodium salicylate on normal and digoxin-intoxicated rabbit heart was studied by the Langendorff perfusion method. The drug depressed heart rate, atrioventricular (AV) conduction and contraction force in the normal heart, and reversibly blocked the ventricular pacemakers induced by digoxin intoxication, whereas its effect on sinoatrial frequency as well as AV conduction was potentiated by digoxin. All the effects of sodium salicylate were stronger at pH 7.0 and weaker at pH 7.4, when compared to those at pH 7.2.