Effect of intravenous flecainide on atrial vulnerability in man.
Sixteen patients were investigated by means of programmed atrial stimulation at 2 different driving rates: 100/min and 120/min. All patients had an increased atrial vulnerability at both driving rates. After the administration of intravenous flecainide (1 mg/kg bodyweight as a bolus, followed by the same amount infused over a period of 20 minutes), the increased vulnerability was abolished in 11 and 9 patients, respectively. In the remaining patients the rate of induced atrial tachyarrhythmia decreased. These findings correlate with a significant prolongation of the effective refractory period of the right atrium and a corresponding significant shortening of its relative refractory period. It is concluded that flecainide may be effective in the treatment of atrial arrhythmias in humans.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001282:Atrial Flutter / Q000188:drug therapy; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005424:Flecainide; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D007263:Infusions, Parenteral; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012032:Refractory Period, Electrophysiological / Q000187:drug effects
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D010880:Piperidines; D005424:Flecainide