Use of constant-infusion verapamil for the treatment of postoperative supraventricular tachycardia.
The effects of constant-infusion verapamil were studied in ten postoperative ICU patients who developed supraventricular tachycardia (atrial fibrillation) with rapid ventricular response rates. A 5-mg iv bolus dose of verapamil was followed by a 5-mg/h infusion that continued for 8 h. Ventricular rates were significantly (p less than .005) reduced from a pretreatment mean of 156 +/- 14 (SD) to 104 +/- 9 beat/min on constant-infusion therapy. This therapy was well tolerated without observed side-effects. Moreover, constant-infusion verapamil might avoid the hypotension and wide range of ventricular rates frequently encountered with repeated bolus doses of verapamil.
D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014700:Verapamil / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014700:Verapamil