Effects of verapamil on electrophysiological disturbances induced by lysophosphatidylcholine in isolated rabbit hearts.

Lysophosphoglycerides such as lysophosphotidylcholine (LPC) have been shown to accumulate in ischemic myocardium and may be important in the genesis of arrhythmias. In this study effects of verapamil on electrophysiological and biochemical derangements induced by LPC were evaluated in Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. LPC perfusion (10 microM) produced conduction disturbances and enhanced spontaneous firing concomitantly with increasing potassium and creatine phosphokinase contents in the coronary effluents. Although pretreatment with verapamil (2 microM) did not show any significant effects on the conduction delay and biochemical changes, it suppressed the occurrence of rapid spontaneous firing during LPC perfusion. These results suggest that relatively low concentration of LPC can induce electrophysiological and biochemical derangements comparable to those observed during myocardial ischemia and that verapamil may modify the dysrhythmias induced by LPC.