Influence of Digitalization on the Contribution of Atrial Systole to the Cardiac Dynamics at a Fixed Ventricular Rate.

THE hemodynamic consequences of acute digitalization in man have been reported in a few studies with controversial results. It has been stated that digitalis has little or no effect on the cardiovascular events in the absence of manifestations of heart failurel-' while it significantly improves cardiac function in the failing heart.'2 This paper describes the effect of acute digitalization on the cardiovascular dynamics in patients with complete heart block with a fixed ventricular rate and the effect of digitalization on the contribution of atrial systole to ventricular filling at a fixed ventricular rate.