Influence of "Polarizing" infusions on anthiarrhythmic effects of beta-blockers.

The antiarrhythmic effect of practolol (0.30 mg/kg) was studied in 25 patients pretreated with infusion of glucose-insulin (GI) solution. GI solution showed an antiarrhythmic effect either after or before the beta-blocker with pH in normal range or compensated metabolic acidosis. GI infusion produced a metabolic acidosis and an arrhythmogenic effect in some cases. Practolol had no antiarrhythmic effect in patients with VPB and GI infusion raised metabolic acidosis.