• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.15-35
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• 1983

Although it has been well known that ventricular fibrillation is the most important complication during hypothermia, much investigation has failed to show the exact nature of the etiology of ventricular fibrillation. Recently, there has been considerable research on the relationship between sympathetic activity and ventricular fibrillation under hypothermia. Cardiac muscle normally contains a certain amount of norepinephrine and the dramatic effect of this catecholamines on the cardiac muscle is well documented. It is, therefore, conceivable that cardiac catecholamines might exert an influence on the susceptibility of heart muscle to tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and arrhythmia, under hypothermia. Hypothermia itself is stress enough to increase tonus of sympatheticoadrenal system. The normal heart is supplied by an autonomic innervation and is subjected to action of circulating catecholamines which may be released from the heart. If the reaction of the heart associated with a variable amount of cardiac catecholamines is. permitted to occur in the induction of hypothermia, the action of this agent on the heart has not to be differentiated from the direct effects of cooling. The studies presented in this paper were designed to provide further information about the cardio-physiological effects of reduced body temperature, with special reference to the role of catecholamines in ventricular fibrillation. Healthy cats, weighing about 3 kg, were anesthetized with pentobarbital(30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The trachea was intubated and the endotracheal tube was connected to a C.F. Palmer type A.C. respirator. Hypothermia was induced by immersing the cat into a ice water tub and the rate of body temperature lowering was $1^{\circ}C$ per 5 to 8 min. Esophageal temperature and ECG (Lead II) were simultaneously monitored. In some cases the blood pH and serum sodium and potassium were estimated before the experiment. After the experiment the animals were killed and the hearts were excised. The catecholamines content of the cardiac muscle was measured by the method of Shore and Olin (1958). The results obtained are summarized as follows. 1) In control animal the heart rate was slowed as the temperature fell and the average pulse rates of eight animals were read 94/min at $31^{\circ}C$, 70/min at $27^{\circ}C$ and 43/min at $23^{\circ}C$ if esophageal temperature. Ventricular fibrillation was occurred with no exception at a mean temperature of $20.3^{\circ}C(21-l9^{\circ}C)$. The electrocardiogram revealed abnormal P waves in each progressive cooling of the heart. there was, ultimately, a marked delay in the P-R interval, QRS complex and Q-T interval. Inversion of the T waves was characteristic of all animals. The catecholamines content of the heart muscle excised immediately after the occurrence of ventricular fibrillation was about thirty percent lower than that of the pre-hypothermic heart, that is, $1.0\;{\mu}g/g$ wet weight compared to the prehypothermic value of $1.41\;{\mu}g/g$ wet weight. The changes of blood pH, serum sodium and potassium concentration were not remarkable. 2) By the adrenergic receptor blocking agent, DCI(2-3 mg/kg), given intramuscularly thirty minutes before hypothermia, ventricular fibrillation did not occur in one of five animals when their body temperature was reduced even to $16^{\circ}C$. These animals succumbed at that low temperature, and the changes of heart rate and loss of myocardial catecholamines after hypothermia were similar to those of normal animals. The actual effect of DCI preventing the ventricular fibrillation is not predictable. 3) Administration of reserpine(1 mg/kg, i.m.) 24 hours Prior to hypothermia disclosed reduced incidence of ventricular fibrillation, that is, six of the nine animals went into fibrillation at an average temperature of $19.6^{\circ}C$. By reserpine myocardial catecholamines content dropped to $0.045\;{\mu}g/g$ wet weight. 4) Bretylium pretreatment(20 mg/kg, i.m.), which blocks the release of catecholamines, Prevented the ventricular fibrillation under hypothermia in four of the eight cats. The pulse rate, however, was approximately the same as control and in some cases was rather slower. 5) Six cats treated with norepinephrine(2 mg/kg, i.m.) or DOPA(50 mg/kg) and tranylcypromine(10 mg/kg), which tab teen proved to cause significant increase in the catecholamines content of the heart muscle, showed ventricular fibrillation in all animals under hypothermia at average temperature of $21.6^{\circ}C$ and the pulse rate increased remarkably as compared with that of normal. Catecholamines content of cardiac muscle of these animals markedly decreased after hypothermia but higher than control animals. 6) The functional refractory periods of isolated rabbit atria, determined by the paired stimulus technique, was markedly shortened by administration of epinephrine, norepinephrine and isoproterenol. 7) Adrenergic beta-blocking agents, such as pronethalol, propranolol and sotalol(MJ-1999), inhibited completely the shortening of refractory period induced by norepinephrine. 8) Pretreatment with either phenoxftenbamine or phentolamine, an adrenergic alphatlocking agent, did not modify the decrease in refractory period induced by norepinephrine. From the above experiment it is possible to conclude that catecholamines play an important role in producing ventricular fibrillation under hypothermia. The shortening of the refractorf period of cardiac muscle induced by catecholamines mar be considered as a partial factor in producing ventriculr fibrillaton and to be mediated by beta-adrenergic receptor.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2005

Purpose: With the recent boom in 'eating healthy', many adults are interested in dieting to prevent future diseases. However only well trained experts can distinguish between what are edible vegetables and herbs from their poisonous look-alikes. In cases where a patient unknowingly ingests a poisonous herb, is caught off guard by the poisonous side effects that occur because of their lack of knowledge of what they have ingested. This paper will focus on the need to educate the public about the risks involved with ingesting wild vegetables and herbs and study the emergency diagnosis and treatment of poisoned patients that enter the emergency room. Method: This study was done in the spring of 2004 (from March to May) in the Kangwon Young-Seo districts of Korea. 15 subjects used in this study, entered the emergency room showing signs of toxic symptoms. Data was collected by examining subject's records. Additional data was collected by collaborating with physicians in the hospital that diagnosed and treated the subjects. Identifying the poisonous vegetable or herb is the first step to proper diagnosis and treatment. Subjects admitted to the emergency room, underwent a battery of tests: laboratory examination, ECG, radiological exam and etc. Results: The demographics of the study encompassed subjects with the average age of $50{\pm}19$ years old. There were 10 men and 5 women. Common symptoms of this study included; gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and so on. In the case of Caltha palustris ingestion, additional symptoms were present; bradycardia and hypotension which lasted for a long time. While cases that ingested Scopolia parviflora had little effect on vital signs but manic episodes lasted for about three days. Veratrum patulum ingestion showed signs of bradycardia and hypotension but contrary to Caltha palustris recovery was shorten by treating with dopamine. However, dizziness, headache and paresthesia of the extremities continued for a long time. Finally Sium ninsi ingestion showed visual disturbance, paresthesia of the extremities, dizziness as their initial symptoms. Conclusion: The risks involved with ingesting wild plants without the proper knowledge can lead to serious side effects and steps need to be taken to educate the public. In addition, all emergency physicians need to have a working knowledge of the symptoms and signs associated with ingesting toxic wild plants and need to treat accordingly.