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A rapid increase in arterial plasma potassium concentration to values seen during intense exercise depresses cardiac function at rest. Increasing the cardiac concentration of noradrenaline by right-sided sympathetic stimulation in eleven anaesthetized pigs significantly augmented cardiovascular performance during hyperkalaemia, while electrical pacing of the right atrium at equivalent rates to sympathetic stimulation afforded no protection against the deleterious effects of hyperkalaemia. We conclude that the inotropic effect of sympathetic activation may be important in sustaining cardiac function during exercise-induced hyperkalaemia.

Original publication

DOI

10.1113/expphysiol.1993.sp003707

Type

Journal article

Journal

Exp Physiol

Publication Date

07/1993

Volume

78

Pages

549 - 552

Keywords

Animals, Female, Heart, Hyperkalemia, Myocardium, Norepinephrine, Physical Conditioning, Animal, Potassium, Rest, Swine, Sympathetic Nervous System, Unconsciousness