Effect of Anoxemia on Myocardium of Isolated Heart of the Dog

Summary

1. The myocardium from a heart-lung preparation respiring air or a mixture of 5% CO₂ and air presents a nearly normal electrolyte pattern. 2. Heart failure from oxygen deficiency in such a preparation results in an increase in sodium, chloride, and water, and a decrease in potassium of the myocardium. 3. These changes are interpreted as indicating an extracellular edema without significant change in the fibers themselves. 4. Sufficient potassium or amytal to produce incipient heart failure produced only small changes in the cardiac electrolytes.