Document Detail


Experimental studies of psychophysiological factors in sudden cardiac death.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  6958193     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Earlier research in the field of sudden cardiac death is reviewed. Such studies have largely oriented towards the provocation of myocardial injury and asystole in normal animals. However, such investigations constitute an inadequate model to describe the clinical appearance of sudden death, where underlying coronary disease is often present and the precipitating event is usually ventricular fibrillation rather than asystole. This report describes a series of studies designed to investigate the processes underlying cardiac vulnerability and the influence upon it of various psychological stresses. It is concluded that the primary mediator of ventricular vulnerability is the sympathetic nervous system. The efferent vagus appears to exert some protective influence against arrhythmias due to adrenergic stimulation. An appropriate clinical strategy for the treatment of malignant arrhythmias would therefore involve attempts to decrease cardiac sympathetic drive whilst at the same time enhancing vagal tone. Treatments are described which aim to bring this situation about by the use of clonidine, morphine sulphate, l-tryptophan and tyrosine. The use of neurochemical agents in this context appears promising.
Authors:
R L Verrier; B Lown
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Acta medica Scandinavica. Supplementum     Volume:  660     ISSN:  0365-463X     ISO Abbreviation:  Acta Med. Scand. Suppl.     Publication Date:  1982  
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1982-12-16     Completed Date:  1982-12-16     Revised Date:  2007-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0370331     Medline TA:  Acta Med Scand Suppl     Country:  SWEDEN    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  57-68     Citation Subset:  IM    
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / physiopathology
Coronary Disease / complications,  psychology
Death, Sudden / etiology*
Humans
Stress, Psychological / complications*
Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology
Vagus Nerve / physiology
Ventricular Fibrillation / complications,  psychology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
HL-07776/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS; HL-28387/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS

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