Isoprenaline and canine cardiac refractory periods

Atrioventricular refractory periods and their modifications induced by variable doses of sioprenaline have been investigated in dogs. Premature atrial stimuli (St2) were applied at variable intervals following regular stimuli (St1) which ensured atrial pacing. Atrial (AERP), nodoventricular (NERP) and global (GERP) effective refractory periods, as well as the global functional refractory period (GFRP) were determined before, during and after infusion of the drug. In low doses, isoprenaline did not significantly alter these various parameters. This confirms its lack of dromotropic effect on the healthy heart. In contrast, high doses of the drug significantly reduced the refractory periods, probably by simple correction of the negative dromotropic effects resulting from overstimulation. Also when the infusion was stopped, marked but reversible conduction depression was observed. It would appear that this reflects 'exhaustion' of cell metabolism induced by the drug.