A cardiac antiarrhythmic screening test using the isolated ischaemic perfused rat heart preparation.

ABSTRACT

Ventricular fibrillation was induced by myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion in the isolated perfused rat heart. The dose-response effectiveness for the prototype antiarrhythmic drugs, propranolol, quinidine and lidocaine in converting the induced ventricular fibrillation to sinus rhythm was determined. The test is easy to perform and does not require skillful surgical procedure and long time for observation. In addition, no arrhythmogenic drugs are used and the amount of substance needed for the test is very small. It is suggested that this simple test be used as a cardiac antiarrhythmic screening test for antiarrhythmic drugs.