The effect of glucose-insulin-potassium on experimental myocardial infarction in the dog.

The effect of glucose-insulin-potassium (GIK) infusions was studied in 45 dogs after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. GIK caused a modest increase in lactate concentration in small veins draining the infarct but did not affect glucose uptake. No effect on creatine kinase activity in the infarct was seen from GIK, although there was a slight increase in blood flow to the centre of the infarct. We concluded that GIK did not reduce infarct size in this experimental model.