Electrocardiographic changes on sublethal poisoning of Vacor and Silmurin to Bandicota bengalensis

A single sublethal dose of Vacor (1 mg/rat) or Silmurin (50 microgram/rat) brought about dissimilar changes in cardiac physiology of bandicoot rats. Delayed myocardial repolarization and stress on cardiac tissues were noticed. Elevation of S-T segment above the isoelectric axis diagnostic of recent myocardial infarction was observed. Vacor and Silmurin induced differential changes in heartbeat; Vacor poisoning resulted in bradycardia, whereas Silmurin tachycardia. It is inferred that Vacor deaths may be due to bradycardia associated with atrioventricular block and that of Silmurin to delayed myocardial repolarization and tachycardia.