Key Points
- The aim is to explore the role of triggered activity caused by digitalis intoxication in the intact heart of conscious dogs with heart block.
- Programmed electrical stimulation was performed on conscious dogs with chronic complete atrioventricular block.
- Ventricular tachycardia was induced via digoxin IV administration (0.1 mg/kg over 1-1.5 hours).
- The first post-pacing interval was analyzed in relation to varying interstimulus pacing intervals.
- A direct linear relationship was found between pacing interval and first post-pacing interval during sustained ventricular tachycardia.
- Short interstimulus pacing intervals (200-320 ms) resulted in ectopic activity as toxicity subsided, indicating a specific trend.
- Biphasic behavior of the post-pacing interval was observed based on pacing intervals, highlighting the complexity of triggered activity.
Structured PICO
PPopulationConscious dogs with chronic complete atrioventricular block
IInterventionProgrammed electrical stimulation (pacing) during digitalis intoxication induced by digoxin IV 0.1 mg/kg over 1-1.5 hours
OOutcomeFirst post-pacing intervalsurrogate
In a canine model of complete AV block, programmed electrical stimulation during digitalis intoxication demonstrates that triggered activity underlies the first post-pacing QRS complex.