Effect of a depressant drug on the recovery time of the sinus. Attempt of application to the diagnosis of sinus dysfunctions
Barnay, C.; Medvedowsky, J.L.
Archives des Maladies du Coeur et des Vaisseaux 70(9): 981-986
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-9683 PMID: 415695 Document Number: 110085
The authors have studied the effect of a depressant drug, 71247 or piprofurol, on the recovery time of the sinoatrial node after rapid electrical stimulation of the atrium (CSRT). 72 patients, divided into three groups, underwent the test: 14 patients with documentary evidence of sinus dysfunction; 48 patients in whom a sinus disorder was suspected, and 10 controls. As a general rule, the sinus recovery time was found to be significantly prolonged in the patients as compared with the controls. The authors have applied this test to the diagnosis of latent sinus dysfunction, categorising three different degress of RESA values: normal (less than or equal to 550 ms), average (between 550 and 1,000 ms), and prolonged (greater than 1,000 ms). In 6 patients from group one and seven from group two, the post-stimulatory pause was normal or average before the test, and prolonged after the injection of 71247; on the other hand the test did not give evidence of any prolongation of the pause in the controls. In this way a dynamic pharmacological test of depression brings and interesting slant on the diagnosis of disorders of the sinus.