Heart rate control by the computerized infusion of isoproterenol

The authors developed a computerized system for the controlled acceleration of heart rate. Ten cannulated rats were connected to a monitoring system that sampled the ECG and arterial blood pressure. Isoproterenol was delivered via a computer controlled infusion pump that the authors have developed. A control software, based on a modified proportional integral controller, sensed the heart rate and stabilized it on a predetermined target heart rate. Stable heart rate values within /spl plusmn/9.3 BPM of target heart rate were achieved in all ten rats with average settling time of 6.4/spl plusmn/4.3 minutes. The authors conclude that heart rate acceleration and stabilization by the computer controlled infusion of isoproterenol is feasible and will undoubtedly have practical future clinical applications.