NEW LIGHT ON THE PHARMACODYNAMICS OF HEART FAILURE
Authors: H. J. L. M.
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1949)

Editorial1 September 1949NEW LIGHT ON THE PHARMACODYNAMICS OF HEART FAILUREH. J. L. M.H. J. L. M.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-31-3-524 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptSince Withering1 established the empirical fact that the powdered leaves of foxglove were a valuable remedy for the dropsy, many of the pharmacological actions of digitalis have been elucidated. Those that have gained general acceptance are well summarized by Willius2 in three main compartments:(a) digitalis depresses the function of the sino-auricular and the auriculo-ventricular nodes, and a tendency to slowing of the cardiac rate results;(b) it depresses conduction throughout the cardiac muscle, particularly through the auriculo-ventricular bundle, and increases the refractory period in both the auricles and ventricles;(c) it increases the amplitude of cardiac contraction and tends...1 WITHERING W: An account of the foxglove and some of its medicinal uses: with practical remarks on dropsy and other diseases, 1785, M. Swinney, Birmingham. Google Scholar2 WILLIUS FA: The actions of digitalis and indications for its use, Proc. Staff Meet. Mayo Clin., 1938, xiii, 572. Google Scholar3 HARRISONLEONARD TRBW: The effect of digitalis on the cardiac out-put of dogs, and its bearing on the action of the drug in heart disease, Jr. Clin. Invest., 1926-1927, iii, 1. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4 DOCKTAINTER WML: The circulatory changes after full therapeutic doses of digitalis, with a critical discussion of views on cardiac output, Jr. Clin. Invest., 1930, viii, 467. CrossrefGoogle Scholar5 RYTAND DA: The effect of digitalis on the venous pressure of normal individuals, Jr. Clin. Invest., 1933, xii, 847. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6 WOOD P: The action of digitalis in heart failure with normal rhythm, Brit. Heart Jr., 1940, ii, 132. CrossrefGoogle Scholar7 FORSSMANN W: Die Sondierung des rechten Herzens, Klin. Wchnschr., 1929, viii, 2085. CrossrefGoogle Scholar8 COURNANDRANGES AHA: Catheterization of the right auricle in man, Proc. Exper. Biol. and Med., 1941, xlvi, 462. CrossrefGoogle Scholar9 MCMICHAELSHARPEY-SCHAFER JEP: The action of intravenous digoxin in man, Quart. Jr. Med., 1944, xiii, 123. Google Scholar10 HOWARTHMCMICHAELSHARPEY-SCHAFER SJEP: Effects of venesection in low output heart failure, Clin. Sci., 1946, vi, 41. Google Scholar11 KATZMENDLOWITZKAPLAN LNMHA: Action of digitalis on isolated heart, Am. Heart Jr., 1938, xvi, 149. CrossrefGoogle Scholar12 MCMICHAEL J: The pharmacology of the failing heart, Brit. Med. Jr., 1948, ii, 927. CrossrefGoogle Scholar13 HOWARTHMCMICHAELSHARPEY-SCHAFER SJEP: Effects of oxygen, venesection and digitalis in chronic heart failure from disease of the lungs, Clin. Sci., 1947, vi, 187. Google Scholar14 VAQUEZLUTEMBACHER HR: De l'Ouabaine Arnaud, Presse méd., 1928, xxxvi, 129. Google Scholar15 HOWARTHMCMICHAELSHARPEY-SCHAFER SJEP: The circulatory action of theophylline ethylene diamine, Clin. Sci., 1947, vi, 125. Google Scholar16 Leading Article, Brit. Med. Jr., 1948, ii, 947. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics 1 September 1949Volume 31, Issue 3Page: 524-528KeywordsCardiac musclesCardiac ventriclesEdemaHeart failureHeart ratePharmacodynamics ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1949 PDF downloadLoading ...