In a group of 84 patients aged 65 to 89 years with the high serum digoxin levels, electrocardiograms, as well as serum creatinine and serum potassium levels were analysed. In an electrocardiogram, a rhythm and conduction disturbances, PR interval, PTQ index, corrected QT interval, both a corrected QT interval I using the second root from a heart frequency and a corrected QT interval II using the third root from a heart frequency were studied. A rhythm disturbances were seen in 37% and a conduction disturbances in 39% of the patients, but no changes were observed in 24% of the patients. There was no correlation between serum digoxin levels and the PR interval. There was a slight correlation between serum digoxin levels and the PTQ index, and no correlation could be demonstrated between serum digoxin levels and a corrected QT interval I as well as a corrected QT interval II. Also, no correlation was evident between serum digoxin levels and serum creatinine levels, although many of those patients suffered from chronic renal failure. In an analysis of the influence of digoxin on the heart, electrocardiographic changes together with serum digoxin levels and serum potassium levels have to be followed. Only one of these parameters is not enough for the analysis of the effect of digoxin on the heart. It is concluded that clinical examination is most important in the analysis of digoxin action.

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Experimental model for the quantitative estimation of transendothelial transport in vitro; a two-compartment system.

A two-compartment system was set up for the measurement of macromolecules, particles and water transfer through the monolayers of cultured endothelial cells. Experimental parameters like differential hydrostatic and osmotic pressures (delta P and delta pi, respectively) concentration gradients, temperature could be controlled. The experiments were carried out, on a cellular line of bovine aortic endothelium produced in our laboratory. Morphological and immunological investigations attested the differentiation of these cells grown on a porous support membrane separating the two compartments. The system allowed morphologic check up on the continuity of endothelial monolayer and ultrastructural studies. Hydraulic conductivity determined for endothelial monolayers was 6.86 +/- 0.85 cm. sec-1 X cm H2O-1 X 10(-7) at delta P = 10 mm Hg and 8.23 +/- 0.80 cm. sec-1 X cm H2O-1 X 10(-7) at delta P = 30 mm Hg, which proves an adequate functional integrity. Investigations using successive radioactive pulses on the same culture were possible without notable residual radioactivity between pulses.

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