Concentration-dependent protection by glibenclamide against reperfusion induced arrhythmias in isolated rat heart

ABSTRACT

Arrhythmia associated with reperfusion of ischemic myocardium may be a major progenitor for sudden cardiac death in man. In this study, an attempt was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of glibenclamide on reperfusion induced arrhythmias in isolates rat heart. Reperfusion induced arrhythmias [premature ventricular contractions and incidence, onset and duration of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation], cardiodynamics [heart rate, developed tension and perfusion pressure] and some biochemical changes [potassium and total protein concentrations] in isolated rat heart were investigated. The results obtained revealed that glibenclamide is effective in protecting the heart against reperfusion-induced ventricular fibrillation partly by attenuating the wash of potassium and enhancing the membrane integrity upon reperfusion