Effects of alterations in sympathetic nervous activity on the severity of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetised rats.

The effects of a number of interventions influencing sympathetic nervous activity on the severity of coronary artery reperfusion-induced arrhythmias in anaesthetised rats have been examined. Noradrenaline (0.1 microgram kg-1 min-1) reduced the mortality that usually occurred as a consequence of ventricular fibrillation. Isoprenaline (5 micrograms kg-1) did not significantly affect the severity of reperfusion-induced arrhythmias, although arrhythmias occurring during the 5-min period of ischaemia were exacerbated. The alpha-adrenoceptor antagonist nicergoline (0.25 and 0.5 mg kg-1 min-1) markedly suppressed both the ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation occurring upon release of the occlu…