Quinidine Lactate and Gluconate in the Suppression of Ectopic Ventricular Tachycardias Associated with Myocardial Infarction

In dogs with myocardial infarction, produced by a standard technic, rapid persistent ectopic ventricular tachycardia develops. Intravenous quinidine lactate and quinidine gluconate effectively control the arrhythmia in 56 to 60 per cent of the animals, but produce toxic reactions in many of them. Morphine sulfate prevents vomiting and diarrhea from quinidine, but does not prevent convulsive movements. The most effective treatment of the arrhythmia was by use of morphine followed by quinidine gluconate. This combination was successful in 89 to 100 per cent of the cases. Principles for guidance in the treatment of severe ventricular arrhythmias have been drawn from these studies.