Intravital Staining of the Atrioventricular Bundle with Iodine Compounds during Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract

Complete atrioventricular dissociation occurring as a result of intracardiac reparative surgery has been a relatively infrequent, hut serious complication. Important advances have been made in its treatment through use of isoproterenol (Isuprel) and by use of the myocardial electrode. The next obvious goal is to prevent completely, if possible, the occurrence of heart block and this depends upon an accurate and safe method of identifying the bundle at the time of cardiotomy. Solutions containing free iodine very effectively identified the conduction system at the time of cardiotomy in dogs, but produced lasting interference with cardiac conduction in most all of the animals.