Use of glucagon in the treatment of quinidine toxicity in the heart.

The effects of glucagon on quinidine-induced cardiac toxicity were studied in open-chest anaesthetised dogs. Glucagon along increased the heart rate and contractility; and decreased the blood pressure, duration of P-R and Q-T interval, and QRS complex. Quinidine produced dose-dependent decreases in the heart rate, blood pressure, and contractility, and lengthening of the duration of P-R and Q-T interval, and QRS complex. Glucagon abolished the changes produced by quinidine within two minutes, and appears to be a drug of choice in the treatment of quinidine toxicity in the heart.