Clinical use of sustained-release procainamide in treatment of cardiac arrhythmias.
Although procainamide has been available, and used, in the treatment of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias for approximately thirty years, its short half-life has made it less than optimal for long-term arrhythmia management in ambulatory patients. Currently available sustained-release preparations provide the same therapeutic benefit with a more tolerable dosage schedule. The pharmacology of procainamide and its basic electrophysiologic properties, dosage schedules, and toxicity are discussed. Finally, the current indications for its use are reviewed.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D011342:Procainamide / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D011342:Procainamide