The effect of chronic diazepam treatment on hypoxia-induced alterations in functional activity of guinea pig myocardium.

The concentration-related sensitization of guinea pig left atrium to adenosine in the presence of diazepam is well established. It was found in our experiments that the cardiodepressive action of hypoxia is significantly enhanced by diazepam in the left atrial myocardium. In atrial preparations obtained from guinea pigs treated with diazepam for 10 days, the hypoxia-induced depression of myocardial contractility was not altered. These results indicate that diazepam-treatment does not impaire the hypoxic tolerance of myocardium.