Effects of calcium antagonists on the electrical alternans of the ST segment and on associated mechanical alternans during acute coronary occlusion in dogs.

Effects of calcium antagonists on the ST alternans and associated mechanical alternans during acute coronary occlusion were examined in anesthetized dogs. The heart rate was fixed by atrial pacing. The intravenous administration of 0.2 mg/kg verapamil attenuated the ST alternans as did 0.5 mg/kg diltiazem. Although these drugs significantly attenuated TQ depression during occlusion, the attenuation was observed after a longer period of occlusion and when the degree of TQ depression was comparable to that during the control occlusion. Nifedipine, 0.03 mg/kg, slightly attenuated the ST alternans, but 0.5 mg/kg dipyridamole had no effect. These results support the idea that slow inward currents are involved in the ST alternans. On the other hand, the mechanical alternans was attenuated in six of 11 dogs. It is probable that factors other than the electrical alternans may also contribute to the mechanical alternans.