Electrophysiologic properties of falipamil (AQA-39)--a new bradycardiac agent.
Falipamil hydrochloride (AQA 39) is a new antiarrhythmic agent structurally related to verapamil. We evaluated the electrophysiologic properties of intravenous falipamil (1.5 mg kg-1 within 20 minutes) in 12 patients. The spontaneous cycle length was significantly (P less than 0.001) prolonged (+79 +/- 59 ms). Atrioventricular conduction was significantly (P less than 0.001) shorter due to AH interval shortening (-17 +/- 14 ms), most probably related to an anticholinergic effect. Similarly, the anterograde Wenckebach point occurred at a significantly (P less than 0.06) higher rate after falipamil (+10 +/- 7 beats min-1). No statistically significant effect was noted on the refractory periods of the AV node, although there was a trend to shortening. The refractoriness of the right atrium and ventricle was significantly prolonged. It is concluded that falipamil is a bradycardiac agent with electrophysiologic properties quite different from those of verapamil and similar to those of class IA antiarrhythmic agents.
Department of Cardiology, University of Aix-Marseille, School of Medicine, France.
S
S
Lévy
M
M
Mètge
J
J
Hilaire
R
R
Cointe
P
P
Bru
J L
JL
Eychenne
R
R
Gérard
D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001283:Atrioventricular Node / Q000187:drug effects; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000503:physiopathology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000187:drug effects; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D054833:Isoindoles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010797:Phthalimides / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D054833:Isoindoles; D010797:Phthalimides; C030532:falipamil