Atropine's Effects upon the Heart and Its Systemic Output,
Abstract
Atropine effects the cardiovascular system in other ways besides the well-known acceleration of heart rate. This review traces the early historical development of the cardiovascular pharmacology of atropine. The influences of atropine upon the cardiac output, coronary circulation, myocardial energetics, work of the heart, excercise and the baroreceptors have been covered. A review of atropine's effects upon sweat production abatement and the related consequences to exercise performance in humans, horses and dogs appears. The anatomy and physiology of the heart's conduction system and the attendant autonomic influences have been discussed, including many of the theoretical and the unsolved aspects, such as, the modulating theories parasympathetics upon the sympathetic innervation of the conduction system. The evidence for and against parasympathetic innervation of the ventricular myocardium has been presented. A summary of studies outlines the influence of human age upon the intensity of atropine's responses. I reviewed the evidence for atropine tachyphlyaxis. Atropine promotes agonist as well as antagonist responses. A discussion of the effects of atropine upon the bradyarrhythias following post myocardial infarcts appears, based mainly on clinical studies. An update and review of atropine chemistry includes a treatment of formulation stability and some of the sensitive assays presently available for tissue level determinations, which permits the current atropine pharmacodynamic studies to proceed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1986
- Accession Number
- ADA182098
Entities
People
- Howard S. Lowensohn
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research