title: Comparison of verapamil and practolol in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia.
abstract: 40 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia were allocated to two different treatment groups according to their year of birth. Those patients born on odd years were given 5 mg of practolol intravenously, those born on even years receiving 5 mg of verapamil, and if the tachycardia continued, the same injection was repeated after 5 minutes. If practolol treatment failed, the patient was given 5 mg of verapamil half an hour later, and vice versa. Verapamil restored sinus rhythm in 19 patients out of 20. Practolol proved effective in 8 out of 20. In patients who were switched over to the other treatment verapamil was effective in 9 out of 11 and practolol in 1 patient. Side effects were few. Marked hypotension occurred in 2 patients, in 1 patient after 5 mg of verapamil, and after 5 mg of practolol in the other. It is concluded that verapamil is a very effective agent in the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. Selection of patients is emphasized to increase the safety of its use.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007022:Hypotension / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D011217:Practolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013614:Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014700:Verapamil; D011217:Practolol