“…Diltiazem and verapamil were shown to protect against all aspects of the response to SI. Previous workers have shown that these agents protect ventricular muscle against ischaemia-induced and hypoxia-induced shortening of refractory periods and slowing of CV (Elharrar et al, 1977;Nakaya et al, 1980;Fujimoto et al, 1981;Kimura et al, 1982;1983;Peter et al, 1982;1983;Gettes et al, 1985;Fleet et al, 1986), against the associated contracture (Henry et al, 1977;Poole-Wilson et al, 1982;1984;Cavero et al, 1983;Fitzpatrick & Karmazyn, 1984;Henry, 1984;Ferrari et al, 1986;Piacenza et al, 1986), and against the mitochondrial structural alterations (Rahamathulla et al, 1983). In the present experiments, verapamil and diltiazem protected the atria only at concentrations which exerted a negative inotropic effect in NS.…”