Auricular Fibrillation Induced and Maintained in Animals by Acetylcholine or Vagal Stimulation

Animals pretreated with appropriate doses of anticholinesterase agents develop auricular flutter and fibrillation following injection of acetylcholine or vagal stimulation. Depression of normal sinoauricular nodal function facilitates induction of fibrillation. During fibrillation, additional injections of acetylcholine, or vagal stimulation, increase the rate of fibrillation. Atropine in small doses reverts the fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm.