Prostaglandins and the antiarrhythmic effect of preconditioning in the isolated rat heart.

Our study evaluated the relationship between the endogenous production of prostacyclin and the antiarrhythmic effect of ischemic preconditioning against ischemic and reperfusion-induced tachyarrhythmia. Langendorff perfused rat hearts underwent 30 min regional ischemia with reperfusion. Preconditioning was induced by a single episode of 5 min ischemia and 15 min reperfusion.

An undocumented effect of lidocaine revealed by computerized electrocardiography.

The influence of an intravenous push of lidocaine 1 mg/kg followed by 2 mg/min infusion on total QRS amplitude and R-to-S duration in leads V2-V4 of the electrocardiogram was studied in 11 patients who were hospitalized in the coronary care unit. A computerized system sampled the amplitude and timing of peak R and S waves of 1100 QRS complexes of leads V2-V4, starting two minutes before the first push of lidocaine. Curves of amplitude and R-to-S duration versus time were obtained in all patients.

Unstable anginal syndrome and pulmonary oedema due to thyrotoxicosis.

We report on a 40 year old woman who presented with typical unstable angina pectoris associated with pulmonary oedema, due to poorly controlled hyperthyroidism. No cardiac abnormality was detected by echo-Doppler and nuclear ventriculography. Coronary angiography demonstrated normal coronary arteries.