Excitation of autonomic nerves by 4-aminopyridine in the isolated, blood-perfused sino-atrial node preparation of the dog.

4-Aminopyridine injected into the sinus node artery produced a long-lasting decrease in sinus rate preceded by a transient increase. With a large dose, a long-lasting increase in sinus rate was superimposed on the long-lasting decrease phase. The long-lasting decrease and increase in sinus rate were abolished by 1-hyoscyamine and propranolol respectively, and both were reduced by tetrodotoxin. These results can be interpreted as being due to excitation of autonomic nerves by 4-aminopyridine.