OXT and cardiac arrhythmia: Furthermore, oxytocin has been shown to promote the release ofatrial natriuretic peptide - a well-known cardioprotective hormone, which reducesthe incidence of reperfusion- induced arrhythmias.34,35 Oxytocinalso exerts negative inotropic and chronotropic effects36 which, in turn may decrease the oxygen demand ofthe myocardium and produce a smaller infarct following occlusion of the coronaryartery.