Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias in dogs with gastric distention-volvulus.

Lidocaine, procainamide, quinidine, or a combination of these drugs was used to treat a variety of cardiac arrhythmias in 70 dogs with gastric distention-volvulus. Antiarrhythmic drugs were administered by constant infusion, the double-infusion technique, or intramuscular injection. Most cardiac arrhythmias were ventricular in origin, although supraventricular arrhythmias including atrial fibrillation also were included. Normal sinus rhythm was reestablished in greater than 85% of the dogs treated. Restoration to normal rhythm was improved by combination drug therapy, normalization of acid-base balance, and appropriate electrolyte therapy.