Arrhythmogenic effects by local left ventricular stretch: effects of flecainide and streptomycin.

Mechanical stretch has been shown to provoke arrhythmia. We wanted to analyze ventricular arrhythmia induced by local left ventricular stretch in order to find out, where arrhythmias originate and whether they can be prevented pharmacologically. Isolated rabbit hearts (Langendorff technique) were submitted to increased left ventricular stretch at the left wall by insertion of an additional intraventricular balloon and adjusting the end-diastolic pressure (EDP) to 25 mmHg for 10 min followed by 20 min recovery at normal EDP of 5-8 mmHg.