Modification of digoxin induced arrhythmogenicity in adult rats following atropine administration.

Atropine alone in the two lower doses (20mg/kg and 40mg/kg) did not produce any arrhythmias while 80mg/kg of atropine produced arrhythmias in 33% of animals after 31.0 +/- 7.5 min. Only 11% of these rats developed paroxysmal atrial tachycardia. Atropine in lower doses (20,40mg/kg) with digoxin (40mg/kg) decreased the total percent of digoxin induced arrhythmias, delayed their onset, and changed the type of arrhythmias as compared with the digoxin group alone. Atropine given in higher dosage (80mg/kg) with digoxin (40mg/kg) produced arrhythmias in 100% of rats as did digoxin alone, but significantly shortened their onset and modified the types of arrhythmias seen. In conclusion, atropine in varying doses significantly modified digoxin toxicity.