Paroxysmal Atrial Arrhythmias Research Articles

Treatment of paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias with acetyl-strophanthidin ∗

Nine patients with ten episodes of paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias (supraventricular tachycardias and paroxysmal atrial flutter), most of them prolonged and resistant to other therapies, have been treated with acetyl-strophanthidin. Small divided doses by slow intravenous injection, not exceeding a total amount of 1 mg., have been used. The procedure was carried out under careful clinical and electrocardiographic control. Patients in whom the drug is contraindicated were carefully excluded. In nine cases conversion to normal rhythm was obtained. This occurred with great promptness during the administration of the drug or immediately after its completion. Clinical symptoms or electrocardiographic signs of digitalis intoxication were not observed in this group of patients. Acetyl-strophanthidin is a useful drug. It is potentially dangerous, as are all digitalis and related substances, but when properly administered it appears reasonably safe. With slow intravenous administration its promptness of action permits an accurate regulation of dosage.

The plasma protein-thyroid hormone complex in man. III. Further studies on the use of the in vitro red blood cell up take of I 131-1-triiodothyronine as a diagnostic test of thyroid function.

ABSTRACT An analysis is presented of over 2900 determinations of the in vitro red blood cell uptake of Il31-l-triiodothyronine from whole blood and its correlation with thyroid status in man. The results indicate that this simple and rapid test, which avoids the administration of radioactivity to the patient, possesses a diagnostic accuracy comparable to other standard methods. It permits the assessment of thyroid function under circumstances in which other standard methods may not be applicable (particularly after the administration of organic iodine-containing compounds), it is useful in following the course of therapy for hyper- and hypothyroidism. The uptake is decreased in normal pregnancy and after administration of estrogen; lack of a decrease during pregnancy may presage miscarriage. The uptake is increased in nephrosis, in certain cases of liver disease and metastatic malignancy, in pulmonary insufficiency with CO2 retention, in paroxysmal atrial arrhythmias, and following administration of antic...