Action of Mephentermine on Arrhythmias Due to Pulsus Alternans, Rapidly Discharging Single Atrial Foci and Prolonged P-R Intervals

¹ From the Department of Physiology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Slow conduction velocities play a role in pulsus alternans and digitalis intoxication and possibly in the arrhythmia due to a rapidly discharging atrial aconitine focus. In the ventricle mephentermine increases conduction velocity, shortens refractory period and A-V conduction time. The present study investigates the usefulness of mephentermine in these conditions. Pulsus alternans was reverted to a normal series of mechanical contractions by mephentermine. The same agent provided periods of regular rhythm during the presence of an atrial aconitine focus; in two cases a permanent sinus rhythm was established. The prolonged P-R interval due to intoxication with acetyl strophanthidin was restored to normal by mephentermine. The action of mephentermine is specific since compounds with addition or subtraction of one methyl group or the hydroxy-mephentermine were ineffective against a circus flutter.

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