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Toxic effects of ouabain on single Purkinje fibers and ventricular muscle fibers were investigated in vitro by microelectrode technique. Toxicity developed much earlier in the specialized conducting fibers and consisted of a progressively increasing rate of diastolic depolarization and a decrease of amplitude and duration of the action potential. The majority of Purkinje fiber preparations developed extrasystoles and rapid spontaneous rhythms. The resting potential was much decreased. The ouabain-induced changes in ventricular muscle fibers occurred much later than did changes in Purkinje fibers and consisted of a decrease in the plateau and in the amplitude of the action and resting potential. Spontaneous depolarization was not observed in muscle fibers. The effect of the rate of stimulation on the development of ouabain toxicity was studied in another series of experiments on driven and quiescent muscles. Signs of toxicity appeared earlier in the driven muscles than in duplicate quiescent muscles and, at faster rates of stimulation, the time required for the toxic changes was shortened.
Vassalle et al. (Sat,) studied this question.