Promising reduction of ventricular fibrillation in experimentally induced heart infarction by antioxidant therapy.

Studies were undertaken using a synthetic free radical scavenger (MTDQ-DA) on regional ischaemic dog hearts; it was found that the rate of malignant ventricular arrhythmias and fibrillation after coronary ligature unexpectedly decreased. According to experiments on 22 dogs, the intravenous MTDQ-DA therapy decreases the unfavourable ECG consequences of left anterior descending branch ligature: already 5 to 10 minutes after drug administration the ST segment elevation, the QT interval lengthening and the occurrence of ventricular extrasystoles and salvos are diminishing. The so-called epicardial ST map ameliorates rapidly. MTDQ-DA as a blocking agent of free radicals is able to prevent the irritative stimuli around and in the border zone of an infarct, has a vigorous anti-arrhythmogenous effect and greatly reduces the electric heterogeneity. These unexpected results may lead to a promising therapy for the acute heart infarction.