Singh J, Bala S, Kaur A H, Garg K N
Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1980 Oct-Dec;24(4):329-34.
The effect of glucagon in arrhythmias induced by coronary artery occlusion and ouabain was studied in dogs. Intravenous administration of glucagon (50 microgram/kg) to 6 dogs with more than 70% ectopic activity after coronary artery occlusion, resulted in significant (P less than 0.01) decrease in ectopics and increase in heart rate. Infusion of glucagon (2.5 microgram/kg/min) for 30 min caused complete elimination of ectopic activity during infusion period. In another series of 7 experiments, glucagon failed to abolish the ouabain-induced ectopic beats. In fact the hormone itself caused a significant (P less tha 0.01) increase in ectopic activity and heart rate. However, in 7 dogs with complete heart block produced after ouabain conversion to normal sinus rhythm was observed after glucagon.
