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Updated: Aug 17, 2026
Ambulatory ECG Recording in Mice
Published on: May 27, 2010
[Comparative study of the activity of anti-arrhythmia agents in calcium chloride-induced arrhythmia in mice]
Abstract:
Calcium chloride (280 mg/kg intravenously) provokes arrhythmia, heart fibrillation and death of mice. Pretreatment with isoptin, etmozine, lidocaine, trimecaine, quinidine and novocainamide prevents rhythm disorders and animals' death. Isoptin, etmozine, lidocaine and trimecaine have been found the most effective. Atropine does not produce any protective action. The simplicity and availability of the method described enables one to apply it as a model for search of new antiarrhythmic drugs.
Insights
Calcium chloride induces fatal heart arrhythmias in mice. Several drugs, including isoptin and lidocaine, effectively prevented these rhythm disorders, highlighting a new model for antiarrhythmic drug discovery.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Research
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Calcium chloride administration can induce severe cardiac arrhythmias and mortality in animal models.
- Identifying effective antiarrhythmic agents is crucial for managing cardiac rhythm disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reliable animal model for evaluating potential antiarrhythmic drugs.
- To assess the efficacy of various antiarrhythmic compounds against calcium chloride-induced cardiac events.
Main Methods:
- Mice were intravenously administered calcium chloride (280 mg/kg) to induce cardiac arrhythmia and death.
- Animals were pretreated with different antiarrhythmic drugs, including isoptin, etmozine, lidocaine, trimecaine, quinidine, and novocainamide.
- The protective effects of these pretreatments on cardiac rhythm and survival were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Calcium chloride injection reliably caused arrhythmia, fibrillation, and death in mice.
- Pretreatment with isoptin, etmozine, lidocaine, trimecaine, quinidine, and novocainamide significantly prevented rhythm disorders and mortality.
- Isoptin, etmozine, lidocaine, and trimecaine demonstrated the highest efficacy.
- Atropine showed no protective effect.
Conclusions:
- The described method provides a simple and accessible model for screening new antiarrhythmic drugs.
- Several tested compounds, particularly isoptin, etmozine, lidocaine, and trimecaine, are effective in preventing calcium chloride-induced arrhythmias in mice.
