Pirmenol in the long-term treatment of chronic ventricular arrhythmias: a placebo-controlled study.
Pirmenol, a new class I antiarrhythmic drug, was given for the treatment of frequent premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) over a 6-month period. Ten patients who had their arrhythmia effectively suppressed by pirmenol in a dose-ranging study were treated with the lowest effective doses in an open investigation. The mean daily doses were 315 mg at the beginning and 340 mg at the end of 6 months. The mean reduction in the frequency of PVC/h remained between 85.5 and 88.6% during 24-h ambulatory electrocardiogram recordings at 1, 3, 5, and 6 months of therapy. With adjustment of the dosage, the predetermined efficacy criteria were fulfilled by eight to 10 patients at each of the four assessments. The PVC/h or repetitive PVC/h frequencies of the patient group did not decline spontaneously within 6 months of treatment, as shown in a placebo control phase. No aggravation of arrhythmias was observed. Side effects in two patients did not prevent prolonged use.
Toivonen
L K
LK
Nieminen
M S
MS
Manninen
V
V
Frick
M H
MH
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D010880:Piperidines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010880:Piperidines; C024318:pirmenol