Acid-induced excitation of afferent cardiac sympathetic nerve fibers.

The effect of acids on activity of afferent sympathetic nerve fibers from the left ventricle has been examined. Action potentials were derived from the upper thoracic communicating rami of the left side of anesthetized dogs. Application of a solution of lactic acid to the left ventricular surface caused excitation in both myelinated and unmyelinated fibers. The minimum concentration required for excitation was 7.5-75 mug/ml for the unmyelinated fibers and 375-750 mug/ml for the myelinated fibers. Excitation of the unmyelinated fibers induced by coronary occlusion was suppressed by pretreatment with sodium bicarbonate, 500 mg/kg. However, excitation of the myelinated fibers was influenced little by the agent. Pretreatment with a large dose of Trasylol failed to suppress excitation induced by coronary occlusion. The result suggests that acidosis plays a role in excitation of the unmyelinated fibers induced by myocardial ischemia, but not in excitation of the myelinated fibers.