The Polarizing Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Possibility of Its Use in other Cardiovascular Conditions

¹ National Institute of Cardiology, Mexico, D.F.
² National Heart Institute, U.S. Public Health Service

The electro-physio-metabolic bases of a new treatment of recent myocardial infarction directed to the cellular level and called "polarizing" are presented. The treatment consists of intravenous infusion of a 1000 ml. of 10 per cent glucose in water solution with added 40 mEq. of KCl and 20 units of regular insulin (G-I-K solution). The effects of this solution were studied both in dogs and in humans.

1. Electrophysiology.

(a) Electrocardiographic morphology of the three zones of infarction.

(b) Arrhythmias.

(c) Activation in the area of the infarction.

2. Electrolytes.

The intra- and extracellular K, Na and water was determined in the different zones of the infarction in the control and treated animals.

3. Macro- and microscopic morphology. The macro- and microscopic changes were studied in control and treated dogs after ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery.

4. Clinical study.

The clinical and electrocardiographic evolution was compared in 25 control patients and in 25 patients treated with the polarizing solution administered continuously for three to seven days.

The polarizing solution has shown favorable results in all instances.

It is concluded that this type of treatment may be helpful in various cardiovascular conditions which are associated with aggressive agents. However, much experimentation will be necessary.