Cardiotoxic effects of dichlorvos (DDVP) in albino rats.

Dichlorvos (O, O-dimethyl O-(2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate: DDVP 76.6 X EC) an organophosphate pesticide had a profound effect on cardiac activity of albino rats. Adult male rats anesthetized with pentobarbitone were administered 30, 50, 70 and 90 mg/kg body weight of dichlorvos. The heart rate and electrocardiogram were monitored and acetylcholinesterase activity was measured in heart and brain. Dichlorvos produced abnormalities in ECG, decrease in heart rate, cardiac arrest and inhibition of cholinesterase activity. It is suggested that cardiotoxic effect of DDVP may be mediated by the accumulated acetylcholine as a result of cholinesterase inhibition.