Abstract
Introduction: A growing body of evidence suggests a possible role for growth hormone (GH) in the treatment of congestive heart failure (CHF) and myocardial infarction (MI). Excess sympathetic activity (SA) is a key arrhythmogenic factor both in the setting of acute MI and during chronic CHE The aim of this study was to investigate interaction GH SA and the effects of GH treatment on ventricular arrhythmias in rats with postinfarct heart failure. Methods: Male rats weighing ~350 g were randomized into 3 groups. GH treated rats (n = 6) received 6mg/kg of human GH. The placebo group (n=10) received 1 ml of saline. Amiodarone treated rats (n=10) were injected with 25mg/kg and served as positive controls. All rats received a single injection 6 h prior to MI. MI was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery resulting in a large (~40%) anterolateral MI. ECG tracing and invasive hemodynamics were registered for 60 min post MI. At 60 rain or at the time of death 1 ml blood was drawn for analysis of catecholamines. Qualitative as well as quantitative variables of ventricular arrhythmias were analyzed according to the 10-point arrhythmia score. Results: The arrhythmia scores in the GH (3.8 41) and amiodarone (3.9 40.5) treated animals were significant lower than in the placebo group (5.9 40.5, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in arrhythmia score between the GH and the amiodarone groups. GH treated rats had lower heart rate during postinfarct period.
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