Effects of ouabain on myocardial potassium and sodium balance in man

Myocardial electrolyte balance and hemodynamics were studied in 14 patients before and after the administration of ouabain. The drug caused a significant loss of potassium from the myocardium. This was accompanied by a significant positive inotropic response, indicated by an increase in the rate of rise of left ventricular pressure and systolic ejection-rate index. Heart rate, cardiac output, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, brachial artery pressure, and left ventricular stroke-work index remained unchanged. These observations in man are compatible with those theories of digitalis action which associate inotropic effect with the inhibition of membrane sodium- and potassium-activated adenosine triphosphatase.